CVE-2015-7224 in puppetlabs-mysql
Summary
by MITRE
puppetlabs-mysql 3.1.0 through 3.6.0 allow remote attackers to bypass authentication by leveraging creation of a database account without a password when a 'mysql_user' user parameter contains a host with a netmask.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7224 affects puppetlabs-mysql module versions 3.1.0 through 3.6.0, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to database systems. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of database user account creation when the mysql_user resource parameter includes a host specification with a netmask, creating a security loophole that undermines the fundamental authentication mechanisms of mysql database systems. The flaw specifically manifests when administrators configure database users with host specifications containing CIDR notation or netmask formats, which should typically be handled securely but are instead processed in a manner that allows passwordless account creation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the module's failure to properly validate and sanitize host specifications when creating mysql user accounts. When a mysql_user resource is defined with a host parameter containing a netmask such as 192.168.1.0/24, the puppetlabs-mysql module incorrectly processes this input, leading to the creation of database accounts that lack passwords. This behavior violates fundamental security principles where database accounts should require authentication credentials for access, particularly when the host specification includes network range parameters. The vulnerability operates at the configuration management layer, where puppet's declarative approach to system administration introduces the flaw through improper input validation of network host specifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to potentially compromise entire database infrastructures. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to create database accounts with elevated privileges without requiring authentication credentials, effectively allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and database operations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where puppet is used for automated configuration management of database systems, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access points. The flaw can be exploited by attackers who have network access to systems managed by puppet, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and unauthorized database modifications.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-287 Improper Authentication, which addresses issues where systems fail to properly authenticate users or processes. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, where adversaries leverage legitimate accounts to maintain persistent access to systems. Organizations using puppetlabs-mysql in affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions, implementing strict input validation for host parameters, and monitoring database access logs for unauthorized account creation. The remediation strategy should also include reviewing existing database user configurations to identify and remove any passwordless accounts that may have been created through this vulnerability, ensuring that all database accounts require proper authentication credentials regardless of their host specification format.