CVE-2015-1777 in Gluster Storage
Summary
by MITRE
rhnreg_ks in Red Hat Network Client Tools (aka rhn-client-tools) on Red Hat Gluster Storage 2.1 and Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5, 6, and 7 does not properly validate hostnames in X.509 certificates from SSL servers, which allows remote attackers to prevent system registration via a man-in-the-middle attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1777 resides within the rhnreg_ks component of Red Hat Network Client Tools, specifically affecting Red Hat Gluster Storage 2.1 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 5, 6, and 7. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the certificate validation process that undermines the integrity of SSL communications between client systems and Red Hat Network servers. The issue stems from inadequate hostname validation during SSL certificate verification, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the registration process through man-in-the-middle attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of X.509 certificate hostname validation within the rhnreg_ks utility. When systems attempt to register with Red Hat Network servers, the client performs SSL certificate validation but fails to properly verify that the certificate's hostname matches the actual server being connected to. This validation bypass allows attackers to present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the client software, enabling them to intercept and manipulate the registration process. The vulnerability specifically affects the SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanism, where the hostname checking logic is insufficient to detect mismatched or malicious certificates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple registration failures, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of systems attempting to register with Red Hat Network services. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, potentially gaining access to registration credentials, system information, or even redirecting registration to malicious servers. This vulnerability affects the integrity of the entire system registration workflow, undermining trust in the Red Hat Network infrastructure and potentially enabling broader attacks against the affected systems. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where automated registration and management processes rely on secure communication channels.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-1777 should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of rhn-client-tools, implementing additional network security controls, and monitoring for unauthorized certificate usage. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting through man-in-the-middle attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms, network segmentation, and enhanced monitoring of registration activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper certificate validation in maintaining secure communication channels within enterprise infrastructure.