CVE-2014-5277 in docker-py
Summary
by MITRE
Docker before 1.3.1 and docker-py before 0.5.3 fall back to HTTP when the HTTPS connection to the registry fails, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to conduct downgrade attacks and obtain authentication and image data by leveraging a network position between the client and the registry to block HTTPS traffic.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-5277 represents a critical security flaw in Docker container management systems that persisted across multiple versions of both the Docker daemon and its python client library. This issue manifests as a dangerous fallback mechanism that automatically reverts to unencrypted HTTP communication when HTTPS connections to container registries fail. The vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling and security protocol enforcement within the Docker client implementation, creating an exploitable condition where network attackers can manipulate the communication channel between Docker clients and registry servers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. When HTTPS connectivity fails, the system automatically downgrades to HTTP without proper validation or user notification, creating a window of opportunity for man-in-the-middle attacks. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of secure communication and demonstrates poor implementation of fail-safe mechanisms. Attackers positioned strategically in the network path between Docker clients and registries can actively block HTTPS traffic and force the system into insecure HTTP mode, thereby compromising the entire authentication and data transfer process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting both authentication credentials and container image data integrity. Authentication tokens, usernames, and passwords transmitted during registry access can be intercepted and potentially reused by attackers, while container images themselves become vulnerable to modification during transit. This downgrade attack vector undermines the core security model of containerized environments where trust and integrity of base images are paramount. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Docker in production environments where registry communication security is essential for maintaining the integrity of deployed applications and preventing unauthorized access to container repositories.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers data compression and encryption of data in transit, and T1566, which involves the manipulation of network communications. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects both the Docker daemon and docker-py client library, meaning that any system using either component is potentially vulnerable. Organizations implementing container orchestration and deployment strategies using these affected versions face significant risk of credential theft and image tampering, which can lead to supply chain attacks and unauthorized system compromise. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in cloud environments where network traffic may traverse multiple hops and where attackers have opportunities to intercept communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate version updates to Docker 1.3.1 and docker-py 0.5.3 or later, which address the insecure fallback behavior. Organizations should implement network-level controls to prevent unauthorized traffic blocking and ensure that HTTPS connectivity to registries is properly maintained. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network behavior patterns that might indicate attempted downgrade attacks. Additionally, organizations should enforce mandatory HTTPS usage through configuration policies and consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms to further strengthen registry communication security. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of robust error handling and fail-safe mechanisms in security-sensitive applications, particularly those handling authentication and data transfer operations.