CVE-2016-0930 in Cloud Foundry Ops Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Pivotal Cloud Foundry (PCF) Ops Manager before 1.6.19 and 1.7.x before 1.7.10, when vCloud or vSphere is used, has a default password for compilation VMs, which allows remote attackers to obtain SSH access by connecting within an installation-time period during which these VMs exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-0930 represents a critical security flaw in Pivotal Cloud Foundry Ops Manager versions prior to 1.6.19 and 1.7.x prior to 1.7.10. This issue specifically affects deployments utilizing vCloud or vSphere infrastructure platforms where compilation virtual machines are created during the installation process. The flaw stems from the improper configuration of default credentials on these temporary virtual machines that exist only during the installation phase, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of hardcoded default passwords on compilation VMs within the Pivotal Cloud Foundry ecosystem. These compilation VMs serve as temporary environments for building and packaging applications during the deployment process, but they remain accessible for a limited time period following installation. During this window, attackers can establish SSH connections to these VMs using predetermined credentials, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials, and it directly enables unauthorized access through the ATT&CK technique T1078 which involves valid accounts and legitimate credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized SSH access to the system during a specific time window. This access can be leveraged for various malicious activities including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The window of vulnerability exists only during the installation period when these compilation VMs are active, but this timeframe can be substantial and provides ample opportunity for exploitation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no advanced exploitation techniques beyond basic network connectivity and knowledge of the default credential scheme.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve updating to the patched versions of Pivotal Cloud Foundry Ops Manager 1.6.19 or 1.7.10, which address the hardcoded credential issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to installation environments, ensure proper firewall rules are in place to restrict SSH access, and conduct regular security assessments of their cloud infrastructure. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any unauthorized access attempts during installation windows and implement automated scanning solutions to detect and remediate such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive credential rotation procedures and the implementation of dynamic credential generation for temporary virtual machines rather than relying on static default passwords.