CVE-2014-7170 in Puppet Server
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in Puppet Server 0.2.0 allows local users to obtain sensitive information by accessing it in between package installation or upgrade and the start of the service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7170 represents a critical race condition flaw within Puppet Server version 0.2.0 that creates a window of opportunity for local attackers to exploit system weaknesses during package lifecycle operations. This issue emerges specifically when the system undergoes package installation or upgrade processes, creating a temporal gap between the completion of package installation and the initiation of the Puppet service. The fundamental security weakness lies in the improper handling of file permissions and access controls during these transitional phases, where temporary files or directories may be left with overly permissive access rights that persist beyond the installation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the timing aspect of package management operations, where the service startup sequence does not adequately enforce proper permission controls on system resources that were temporarily accessible during installation. This race condition creates an exploitable scenario where malicious local users can access sensitive information that should normally be restricted to authorized system processes. The flaw directly relates to CWE-362, which categorizes race conditions as a class of vulnerabilities where concurrent operations can lead to unpredictable behavior and security weaknesses. During the package installation or upgrade process, temporary configuration files, log directories, or other system resources may be created with insecure permissions that allow unauthorized access before the service properly initializes with appropriate access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to gain deeper system insights that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. Local users who can observe or access these temporary resources during the installation window may extract sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, or system information that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly concerning for environments where physical or logical access controls may be insufficient. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers execution through local commands and scripts, as the compromised system could be used to execute additional malicious activities once sensitive information is obtained.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7170 should focus on implementing proper service initialization procedures that enforce strict permission controls during package installation and upgrade operations. System administrators should ensure that package management processes properly clean up temporary files and enforce secure permissions on all system resources. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of Puppet Server that addresses the race condition by implementing proper synchronization mechanisms between package installation completion and service startup. Additionally, implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect insecure file permissions during package operations can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Organizations should also consider implementing process monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous access patterns during package installation phases, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper temporal security controls and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of package management workflows to prevent similar race condition exploits in other system components.