CVE-2016-3111 in Pulp
Summary
by MITRE
pulp.spec in Pulp 2.8.3 allows local users to read generated RSA keys.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3111 affects the Pulp content management system version 2.8.3, specifically within the pulp.spec configuration file handling mechanism. This flaw represents a critical security issue that exposes generated RSA cryptographic keys to unauthorized local users, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the system's cryptographic infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and privilege management within the Pulp application's key generation and storage processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the pulp.spec file which manages the specification and generation of cryptographic keys used by the Pulp system. When Pulp generates RSA keys for content signing and authentication purposes, the system fails to properly restrict access permissions to these generated key files. Local users who can execute processes with the same privileges as the Pulp service can access these key files and extract the private RSA keys. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security hygiene in file access control mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue that allows local users to gain unauthorized access to cryptographic material that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3111 is severe and multifaceted, affecting both the confidentiality and integrity of the Pulp content management system. An attacker with local access can extract RSA private keys and subsequently forge content signatures, manipulate content repositories, and potentially impersonate legitimate Pulp services. This compromise can lead to supply chain attacks where malicious content is injected into repositories, or unauthorized access to protected content distributions. The vulnerability undermines the trust model of the entire Pulp deployment, as the cryptographic keys that ensure content authenticity and integrity become accessible to any local user. This issue directly relates to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1552.004 for unsecured credentials and T1068 for local privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3111 require immediate implementation of proper access controls and privilege management. System administrators should ensure that generated RSA keys are stored with restrictive file permissions, typically limiting access to the specific user or group running the Pulp service. The recommended approach involves setting appropriate umask values during key generation and implementing proper file ownership controls to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated key rotation processes and regular security audits of key storage locations. The fix requires updating to a patched version of Pulp where the pulp.spec file handling has been corrected to enforce proper access controls. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized access attempts to cryptographic key files and implementation of file integrity monitoring solutions to track changes to sensitive key material. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure key management practices and proper privilege separation in content distribution systems, aligning with industry standards for cryptographic key handling and secure system design principles.