CVE-2016-6349 in systemd
Summary
by MITRE
The machinectl command in oci-register-machine allows local users to list running containers and possibly obtain sensitive information by running that command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6349 resides within the machinectl command functionality of the oci-register-machine utility, presenting a significant information disclosure risk for local users. This flaw specifically affects systems utilizing containerized environments where the oci-register-machine component is deployed, creating an avenue for unauthorized information enumeration that could expose sensitive operational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and privilege separation within the machinectl command execution path. When local users execute the machinectl command through the oci-register-machine interface, the system fails to properly validate user permissions or implement adequate authorization checks. This design flaw allows any local user to bypass normal security boundaries and access container listing functionality, potentially revealing running container processes, their associated resource usage, and other operational metadata that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for further exploitation attempts within containerized environments. Attackers could leverage this capability to map container infrastructure, identify running services, and potentially discover vulnerable applications or misconfigurations. The exposure of running container information aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack technique matrix under credential access and discovery phases, where adversaries seek to understand system configurations before launching more targeted attacks. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where container orchestration systems like systemd-nspawn or similar container management frameworks are deployed.
Security practitioners should consider implementing strict access controls and privilege separation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized execution of machinectl commands. The remediation approach should focus on enforcing proper user authentication and authorization checks before allowing container listing operations. Additionally, organizations should review their container management policies and implement least privilege principles for container administration commands. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation in containerized environments and aligns with common weakness enumerations categorized under CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management. The attack surface reduction should include implementing mandatory access controls and monitoring for unauthorized execution of container management commands. Organizations utilizing this functionality should also consider implementing audit logging for all machinectl operations to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with security frameworks that require detailed operational visibility and access control enforcement.