CVE-2014-7231 in Trove
Summary
by MITRE
The strutils.mask_password function in the OpenStack Oslo utility library, Cinder, Nova, and Trove before 2013.2.4 and 2014.1 before 2014.1.3 does not properly mask passwords when logging commands, which allows local users to obtain passwords by reading the log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7231 represents a critical security flaw within the OpenStack Oslo utility library that affects multiple core OpenStack components including Cinder, Nova, and Trove. This issue stems from improper handling of password masking during logging operations, creating a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited by local attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive authentication credentials.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the strutils.mask_password function implementation within the Oslo library, which serves as a foundational utility component across various OpenStack services. When commands containing password parameters are executed, the function fails to adequately obscure or remove password values from log output, leaving cleartext credentials visible in system logs. This flaw specifically manifests in versions prior to 2013.2.4 for the 2013.2.x release line and 2014.1.3 for the 2014.1 release line, indicating that the issue persisted across multiple stable releases and affected the broader OpenStack ecosystem. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-209, which addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" and falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can lead to credential compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-7231 extends beyond simple credential exposure, as local users with access to system logs can extract authentication tokens, API keys, and other sensitive credentials that may be used to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to cloud resources. This vulnerability particularly affects cloud environments where multiple users share system resources, as any local user with read access to log files could potentially exploit this flaw. The exposure of passwords in log files creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the affected software is patched, making it particularly dangerous in long-running cloud deployments where log retention policies may preserve these sensitive records for extended periods.
Organizations implementing OpenStack services that utilize the affected Oslo library versions face significant security risks, as this vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of cloud infrastructure if attackers can access system logs. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that multiple core OpenStack services are affected, meaning that a single unpatched component can potentially expose credentials across the entire cloud platform. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1562.001, which covers "Taint Data" and "Unsecured Credentials" as part of the credential access and defense evasion tactics. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which addresses "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as compromised credentials can be used to access cloud resources through legitimate account access mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7231 require immediate patching of affected OpenStack components to versions that properly implement password masking in log output. System administrators should ensure that all instances of Cinder, Nova, and Trove are updated to the patched versions, specifically targeting releases 2013.2.4 and 2014.1.3 respectively. Additionally, organizations should implement log access controls to limit local user privileges and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access to system logs. The remediation process should include comprehensive log review to identify any previously exposed credentials and implement proper credential rotation procedures for all affected systems. Security teams should also consider implementing centralized logging solutions with enhanced access controls and audit capabilities to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, while ensuring that all log data containing sensitive information is properly sanitized before being stored or transmitted.