CVE-2015-7528 in Kubernetes
Summary
by MITRE
Kubernetes before 1.2.0-alpha.5 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary pod logs via a container name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2022
Kubernetes version 1.2.0-alpha.5 and earlier contained a critical access control vulnerability that allowed remote attackers to read arbitrary pod logs through container name manipulation. This vulnerability specifically affected the Kubernetes API server's handling of log retrieval requests, where proper authentication and authorization checks were insufficiently implemented. The flaw existed in the way the system validated container names during log access operations, creating a path for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from inadequate input validation within the Kubernetes logging endpoint. When users or attackers submitted requests to retrieve pod logs, the system relied on container name parameters without sufficient verification of user permissions or container ownership. This weakness enabled malicious actors to construct requests targeting containers they did not own or have legitimate access to, effectively bypassing the intended access controls. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was significant for organizations running Kubernetes clusters, as it could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive application data, configuration information, and potentially credentials stored within pod logs. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gather intelligence about running applications, identify vulnerabilities in other services, or extract confidential information from logs that might contain API keys, database connection strings, or other sensitive data. The remote nature of the attack meant that even unauthenticated users could potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1565.001, which covers "Data Manipulation" through unauthorized access to system information. Organizations using Kubernetes versions prior to 1.2.0-alpha.5 were at risk of exposure to information disclosure attacks that could compromise the confidentiality of their containerized applications. The remediation required updating to Kubernetes version 1.2.0-alpha.5 or later, which included proper authorization checks for log access operations. Additional mitigations involved implementing network segmentation, enforcing strict API access controls, and regularly auditing container log access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.