CVE-2014-8733 in Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cloudera Manager 5.2.0, 5.2.1, and 5.3.0 stores the LDAP bind password in plaintext in unspecified world-readable files under /etc/hadoop, which allows local users to obtain this password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2018
CVE-2014-8733 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Cloudera Manager versions 5.2.0, 5.2.1, and 5.3.0. This vulnerability stems from improper credential handling practices where the LDAP bind password is stored in plaintext within world-readable files located in the /etc/hadoop directory structure. The flaw manifests as a direct violation of security best practices for credential storage and access control, creating an easily exploitable path for local attackers to gain unauthorized access to authentication credentials. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and demonstrates a clear failure in implementing proper file permission controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Cloudera Manager configures its LDAP authentication settings, storing the bind password in configuration files that lack appropriate access restrictions. These files are typically created with world-readable permissions, allowing any local user on the system to access the plaintext password through standard file reading operations. This design flaw enables attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and potentially escalate privileges within the Hadoop ecosystem. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level, exploiting weak file access controls and insufficient privilege separation between system components and local users.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8733 extends beyond simple credential theft, as the compromised LDAP bind password can provide attackers with elevated access to the entire Hadoop cluster infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this access to manipulate data, modify cluster configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within the environment. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" through the exploitation of plaintext passwords stored in configuration files. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Cloudera Manager serves as the primary orchestration tool for large-scale data processing platforms, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data and disrupting critical business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8733 require immediate implementation of proper file access controls and credential management practices. System administrators must ensure that all configuration files containing authentication credentials are protected with restrictive permissions, specifically setting file permissions to 600 or 640 to prevent unauthorized access. The recommended approach involves conducting a comprehensive audit of all files under /etc/hadoop and other sensitive directories to identify and remediate similar credential exposure issues. Additionally, organizations should implement automated monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file access attempts and establish proper credential rotation procedures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for secure configuration management and access control implementation, ensuring that all system components adhere to principle of least privilege and proper separation of duties.