CVE-2015-1838 in SaltStack
Summary
by MITRE
modules/serverdensity_device.py in SaltStack before 2014.7.4 does not properly handle files in /tmp.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1838 affects SaltStack versions prior to 2014.7.4 and specifically targets the modules/serverdensity_device.py file within the SaltStack infrastructure management framework. This issue represents a path traversal and file handling weakness that could potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary files located in the /tmp directory, which is a common location for temporary storage in Unix-like operating systems and serves as a critical attack surface for privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in how SaltStack processes and manages temporary files during device monitoring operations through the serverdensity_device.py module. When SaltStack executes commands that involve temporary file operations, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths that reference the /tmp directory. This inadequate input validation creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate temporary file creation and access patterns, potentially leading to privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors could gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to create or manipulate files in the /tmp directory in ways that bypass normal access controls and security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access issues and could enable sophisticated attack vectors within networked environments where SaltStack is deployed. In environments where SaltStack manages multiple systems and devices, an attacker who can exploit this vulnerability may gain access to sensitive monitoring data, configuration files, or temporary files containing credentials or system information. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SaltStack is used for configuration management and system monitoring, as the compromised system could potentially be used as a foothold for lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers who have limited access to the system, as it represents a privilege escalation opportunity that could be leveraged to gain broader system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1838 focus on immediate patching of affected SaltStack installations to version 2014.7.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper temporary file handling. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting write permissions to the /tmp directory, implementing proper file access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized file creation or modification in temporary storage areas. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in existing SaltStack functionality while also validating that temporary file operations are properly secured. Security teams should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for temporary file operations and regularly audit system configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the SaltStack framework or related infrastructure management tools. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure file handling practices in distributed system management platforms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts usage.