CVE-2015-6941 in Salt
Summary
by MITRE
win_useradd, salt-cloud and the Linode driver in salt 2015.5.x before 2015.5.6, and 2015.8.x before 2015.8.1 leak password information in debug logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6941 affects the Salt configuration management system and represents a critical information disclosure issue within the salt cloud infrastructure components. This flaw exists in versions 2015.5.x prior to 2015.5.6 and 2015.8.x prior to 2015.8.1, specifically impacting the win_useradd module, salt-cloud functionality, and the Linode driver implementation. The vulnerability manifests when these components log password information during debug operations, creating persistent exposure of sensitive authentication credentials within system logs.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the logging mechanisms of the salt cloud subsystem. When these components execute operations requiring password authentication, particularly during user account creation processes on windows systems or cloud instance provisioning, the system fails to sanitize password parameters before writing them to debug log files. This behavior directly violates secure coding principles and represents a classic example of insecure logging practices that can lead to credential exposure. The vulnerability maps to CWE-209, which specifically addresses information exposure through logging, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.001 for credential dumping through log file access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to represent a significant security risk for organizations utilizing Salt for infrastructure automation. Attackers who gain access to debug log files or system logs can extract plaintext passwords, enabling them to escalate privileges, move laterally within networks, or compromise additional systems that rely on the same credentials. This issue is particularly dangerous in environments where salt is used for cloud infrastructure management, as it could provide unauthorized access to cloud provider accounts and their associated resources. The vulnerability affects both Windows user management operations and cloud provisioning workflows, making it a broad threat vector for Salt-based deployments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of Salt 2015.5.6 or 2015.8.1, respectively. Additionally, system administrators should review and rotate all passwords that may have been exposed through debug logs, particularly those used in cloud infrastructure provisioning and Windows system administration. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper log sanitization procedures, configuring log rotation with secure deletion policies, and ensuring that debug logging is disabled in production environments where possible. Security teams should also monitor for unauthorized access to system logs and implement access controls to prevent unauthorized log file examination. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure logging practices and proper credential handling in automated infrastructure management systems, particularly those operating in cloud and hybrid environments where credential exposure can lead to widespread compromise.