CVE-2015-8034 in Salt
Summary
by MITRE
The state.sls function in Salt before 2015.8.3 uses weak permissions on the cache data, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8034 affects the Salt configuration management system prior to version 2015.8.3, specifically within the state.sls function. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from improper file permission handling during cache data creation. The Salt system is widely used for automating infrastructure management and configuration deployment across distributed systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its functionality. The issue manifests when Salt creates cache files during state execution, failing to properly set restrictive permissions that would normally prevent unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the state.sls function creating temporary cache files without enforcing appropriate access controls. These cache files contain sensitive information such as configuration parameters, system states, and potentially credential data that Salt uses during state execution. When the system creates these files with default permissions, they often inherit world-readable attributes, allowing any local user on the system to access the cached data. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates an information disclosure vector that attackers can exploit to gain insights into system configurations and potentially identify additional attack surfaces. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-732 as improper permission settings for critical resources, which represents a fundamental failure in access control implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8034 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the cached data may contain sensitive system configurations that could aid in further attacks. Local users who can read these cache files might discover system-specific details, network configurations, service endpoints, or credential information that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network. In environments where Salt manages critical infrastructure components, this vulnerability could enable attackers to map system architectures and identify potential targets for more sophisticated attacks. The implications are particularly severe in multi-tenant environments or shared hosting scenarios where multiple users or applications operate on the same system, as the cache data from one user's Salt operations could be accessed by another local user.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Salt version 2015.8.3 or later, which contains the necessary permission fixes for cache file handling. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of existing cache directories to ensure that no sensitive data remains accessible to unauthorized local users. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper file system access controls, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to Salt cache directories, and conducting regular security assessments of Salt configurations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 as it enables data from remote systems to be collected through local access methods, and represents a failure in the system's defense in depth strategy. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management controls and regular security scanning to detect similar permission-related vulnerabilities across their infrastructure.