CVE-2016-3095 in Pulp
Summary
by MITRE
server/bin/pulp-gen-ca-certificate in Pulp before 2.8.2 allows local users to read the generated private key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3095 represents a critical security flaw in the Pulp content management system where the pulp-gen-ca-certificate utility fails to properly secure generated private keys. This issue affects Pulp versions prior to 2.8.2 and creates a significant risk for local users who can exploit the weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic materials. The vulnerability stems from improper file permission handling during the certificate generation process, allowing local attackers to read the private key that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the server/bin/pulp-gen-ca-certificate script which generates certificate authority certificates for the Pulp server. During this process, the script creates private key files without appropriate security permissions, leaving them accessible to any local user account on the system. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security hygiene in file handling operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses situations where critical system resources receive insufficient access controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to severe security risks including potential certificate compromise, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access to protected content managed by Pulp. An attacker who gains local access to the system can immediately retrieve the private key and use it to impersonate the certificate authority, potentially compromising all certificates issued by the system. This risk extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include full cryptographic compromise of the Pulp server's security infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001: Unsecured Credentials, as it involves the exposure of private cryptographic keys that should remain protected.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to Pulp version 2.8.2 or later where the issue has been resolved. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of certificate files and their permissions to ensure no private keys remain accessible to unauthorized users. Additional mitigations include implementing proper file permission controls, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and considering the use of more secure key management solutions. The fix typically involves ensuring that generated private key files are created with restrictive permissions that prevent unauthorized access while maintaining necessary functionality for the system's operation. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege management and access control in security-critical applications, particularly those handling cryptographic materials and certificate management operations.