CVE-2017-2294 in Puppet Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Versions of Puppet Enterprise prior to 2016.4.5 or 2017.2.1 failed to mark MCollective server private keys as sensitive (a feature added in Puppet 4.6), so key values could be logged and stored in PuppetDB. These releases use the sensitive data type to ensure this won't happen anymore.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2294 affects Puppet Enterprise versions prior to 2016.4.5 and 2017.2.1, representing a critical security flaw in the handling of cryptographic materials within the MCollective server infrastructure. This issue stems from the improper management of private key sensitivity within the Puppet configuration management platform, creating potential exposure points for sensitive cryptographic data. The vulnerability specifically impacts the MCollective server private keys that are essential for secure communication and authentication within distributed Puppet environments.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of proper sensitivity marking for MCollective server private keys, which should have been implemented as a security feature introduced in Puppet version 4.6. Without the sensitive data type designation, these private keys could be inadvertently logged by various system components including PuppetDB, audit logs, and other monitoring systems. This failure in data classification means that the cryptographic keys used for server authentication and secure communication were stored in plaintext format within the system's persistent storage mechanisms, creating a significant risk for unauthorized access and potential compromise of the entire Puppet infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Puppet Enterprise deployments that were using affected versions. Attackers who gain access to system logs, database contents, or audit trails could extract these private keys and potentially impersonate legitimate MCollective servers, leading to unauthorized access to managed nodes, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of data protection and confidentiality, as it fails to implement proper data sanitization and sensitive information handling mechanisms that are standard practice in enterprise security frameworks. This flaw directly relates to CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and represents a failure in implementing proper data protection controls within the configuration management platform.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Puppet Enterprise versions 2016.4.5 or 2017.2.1, which properly implement the sensitive data type for private keys. The upgrade process should include comprehensive key rotation for all affected MCollective servers to ensure that any previously exposed keys are invalidated and replaced with new secure cryptographic materials. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of existing logs, databases, and monitoring systems to identify and remove any instances of the exposed private keys. Additionally, implementing proper logging controls and access restrictions to PuppetDB and related systems will help prevent similar issues in the future. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers credentials in files, and demonstrates the critical importance of proper data classification and handling within enterprise security infrastructure. The remediation process should also include enhanced security monitoring and logging practices to detect potential unauthorized access attempts and ensure that sensitive data remains properly protected throughout the system lifecycle.