CVE-2015-5306 in Ironic Inspector
Summary
by MITRE
OpenStack Ironic Inspector (aka ironic-inspector or ironic-discoverd), when debug mode is enabled, might allow remote attackers to access the Flask console and execute arbitrary Python code by triggering an error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
OpenStack Ironic Inspector represents a critical vulnerability in the OpenStack infrastructure management ecosystem where the debugging functionality introduces a significant security risk. This flaw exists within the ironic-inspector component, also known as ironic-discoverd, which is responsible for hardware inspection and data collection in OpenStack environments. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the service operates in debug mode, a configuration typically used for development and troubleshooting purposes but inadvertently exposed in production environments.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-5306 leverages the Flask web framework's built-in debugger console that becomes accessible when debug mode is enabled. When an error occurs during the inspection process, the system's error handling mechanism inadvertently exposes the Flask console interface to remote attackers. This console provides direct access to the Python interpreter running within the service, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary Python code with the privileges of the running service. The vulnerability stems from the insecure configuration of the Flask application where debug features remain enabled in production deployments, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure configuration management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the inspection service and potentially the underlying infrastructure. Attackers can manipulate inspection data, access sensitive hardware information, and potentially escalate privileges to compromise the entire OpenStack environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-489, which addresses the presence of debug code in production systems, and represents a classic example of insecure configuration management that violates the principle of secure by default settings. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that ironic-inspector typically operates within cloud infrastructure environments where it has access to critical hardware information and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation of the insecure configuration. Organizations must ensure that debug mode is disabled in all production deployments of OpenStack Ironic Inspector, with proper security auditing of configuration files and deployment scripts. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure, while regular security assessments should verify that debug functionality remains disabled. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to the ATT&CK framework's principle of privilege escalation through insecure configurations, where attackers exploit misconfigurations to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also implement automated configuration management tools to prevent accidental enabling of debug modes in production environments, ensuring that security controls are maintained throughout the software lifecycle and deployment processes.