CVE-2015-1842 in OpenStack
Summary
by MITRE
The puppet manifests in the Red Hat openstack-puppet-modules package before 2014.2.13-2 uses a default password of CHANGEME for the pcsd daemon, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1842 resides within the Red Hat openstack-puppet-modules package, specifically affecting versions prior to 2014.2.13-2. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from the improper configuration of the pcsd daemon through puppet manifest files. The pcsd daemon serves as the primary communication interface for the Pacemaker cluster management system, which is integral to high-availability configurations in openstack environments. The vulnerability manifests when the puppet manifests fail to properly configure authentication credentials, instead leaving the daemon configured with a default password value of CHANGEME. This default credential configuration creates an exploitable condition that fundamentally undermines the security posture of deployed openstack clusters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the weak authentication mechanism. The CHANGEME default password creates a persistent security risk that remote attackers can readily exploit without requiring advanced techniques or significant resources. Once authenticated to the pcsd daemon, attackers can execute arbitrary shell commands on the target system, effectively gaining full control over the cluster management functionality. This privilege escalation capability allows adversaries to manipulate cluster configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the entire underlying infrastructure. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-798, which categorizes the use of hard-coded credentials as a significant security weakness, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as the exploitation enables both account compromise and execution of arbitrary commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of high-availability cluster management systems. Organizations deploying openstack environments with affected versions face severe risks including unauthorized cluster modifications, data breaches, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on Pacemaker for cluster coordination, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where cluster stability and security are paramount. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain persistent access to critical infrastructure components, potentially leading to extended periods of unauthorized access and data compromise. The default nature of the password means that any system configured with the vulnerable package automatically presents this security risk without requiring additional attack vectors or complex exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1842 must prioritize immediate remediation through package updates to version 2014.2.13-2 or later, which properly implements secure credential configuration. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure proper patching across all openstack deployments. Additional security measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to pcsd daemon ports, enforcing strict access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized authentication attempts. Organizations should also establish robust credential management policies that eliminate default passwords in production environments and implement automated tools to detect and remediate hardcoded credentials. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper configuration management and the dangers of relying on default settings in security-sensitive applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks for secure system configuration and access control management.