CVE-2016-6341 in oVirt Engine
Summary
by MITRE
oVirt Engine before 4.0.3 does not include DWH_DB_PASSWORD in the list of keys to hide in log files, which allows local users to obtain sensitive password information by reading engine log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6341 affects the oVirt Engine platform version 4.0.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the logging mechanism that exposes sensitive database credentials. This issue stems from the incomplete implementation of sensitive data sanitization within the engine's logging subsystem, where the DWH_DB_PASSWORD variable was overlooked during the development of the log obfuscation process. The oVirt Engine serves as the central management platform for virtualization environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its infrastructure for critical operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the engine's logging configuration where certain sensitive parameters are designed to be hidden from log output to prevent credential exposure. However, the DWH_DB_PASSWORD parameter was inadvertently omitted from this sanitization list, allowing attackers with local access to the system to extract database credentials directly from log files. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and output filtering, where the system fails to properly handle sensitive data across all components of its logging infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-546, which addresses the presence of "sensitive data in logs" and specifically targets the improper handling of credentials in application logging mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides local attackers with the means to compromise the entire database infrastructure that supports the oVirt Engine's data warehouse functionality. Attackers can leverage these credentials to perform unauthorized database operations, potentially leading to data exfiltration, modification of virtualization configurations, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges for exploitation, as local access to the system is sufficient to read log files containing the exposed passwords. This scenario demonstrates a violation of the principle of least privilege and represents a significant weakness in the system's defense-in-depth strategy, as it creates an attack vector that bypasses more sophisticated authentication mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to oVirt Engine version 4.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary patch to include DWH_DB_PASSWORD in the log sanitization process. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough log file reviews to identify any previously exposed credentials and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential unauthorized access to log files. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating the logging configuration to ensure all sensitive parameters are properly masked, following the ATT&CK framework's guidance on credential access and defense evasion techniques. Security teams should consider implementing file access controls and audit logging to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive log files, while also establishing procedures for regular security assessments to identify similar oversights in other system components. This vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing and the need for thorough review of all data handling processes within enterprise systems, particularly those involving credential management and logging mechanisms.