CVE-2014-8170 in Enterprise Virtualization
Summary
by MITRE
ovirt_safe_delete_config in ovirtfunctions.py and other unspecified locations in ovirt-node 3.0.0-474-gb852fd7 as packaged in Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization 3 do not properly quote input strings, which allows remote authenticated users and physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a ; (semicolon) in an input string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8170 represents a critical command injection flaw within the ovirt-node management framework that affects Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization 3 deployments. This vulnerability exists in the ovirt_safe_delete_config function located within ovirtfunctions.py and similar locations throughout the ovirt-node 3.0.0-474-gb852fd7 package. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly quote or escape user-supplied strings before processing them within shell contexts. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary shell commands through carefully crafted input sequences containing semicolon characters.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities where user-controllable data is improperly integrated into shell command execution contexts. The vulnerability operates by permitting attackers to append additional commands to existing shell operations through semicolon delimiters, which are interpreted by the shell as command separators. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute unauthorized system commands with the privileges of the affected service or user context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be exploited by both remote authenticated users who have legitimate access to the system and physically proximate attackers who can directly interact with the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution capabilities, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive system resources, modify configurations, or even compromise the entire virtualization environment. In the context of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization deployments, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to manipulate virtual machine configurations, access hypervisor controls, or potentially gain unauthorized access to guest operating systems. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the vulnerability is accessible to authenticated users who may have legitimate administrative access but could be exploited to perform unauthorized actions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8170 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures that properly escape or quote all user-supplied data before it is processed in shell contexts. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious command execution patterns and input sequences that may indicate attempted exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and shell command construction in virtualization management systems, aligning with ATT&CK techniques focused on command and scripting interpreter execution and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to provide additional layers of defense against similar injection vulnerabilities.