CVE-2017-8168 in FusionSphere OpenStack
Summary
by MITRE
FusionSphere OpenStack with software V100R006C00SPC102(NFV) and V100R006C10 have an information leak vulnerability. Due to an incorrect configuration item, the information transmitted by a transmission channel is not encrypted. An attacker accessing the internal network may obtain sensitive information transmitted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8168 affects FusionSphere OpenStack implementations running specific software versions including V100R006C00SPC102(NFV) and V100R006C10. This represents a critical information disclosure weakness that undermines the security posture of virtualized network function environments. The flaw manifests through improper configuration of transmission channels within the NFV infrastructure, creating an attack vector that directly compromises data confidentiality. The vulnerability resides in the fundamental network communication protocols that govern how sensitive information flows between components of the virtualized infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and telecommunications environments where such systems process confidential operational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a misconfiguration that disables encryption for data transmitted across internal network channels. This misconfiguration creates a clear path for attackers who have gained access to the internal network to intercept and decode sensitive information flowing through the system. The flaw operates at the transport layer of network communications where data should be protected through established cryptographic protocols. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the implementation of secure communication channels, specifically falling under CWE-310 which addresses cryptographic issues in network communications. The vulnerability essentially creates a man-in-the-middle scenario where unencrypted data can be captured and analyzed by unauthorized network entities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the entire NFV ecosystem. Attackers who gain access to the internal network can exploit this flaw to obtain confidential operational data, system credentials, network configurations, and potentially sensitive customer information. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and confidentiality that should be inherent in any secure network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning in telecommunications environments where FusionSphere OpenStack serves as the foundation for network function virtualization, potentially allowing adversaries to gain insights into network topology, service configurations, and operational procedures that could enable further exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1041 which covers data extraction through network sniffing and T1071 which addresses application layer protocol usage for data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8168 require immediate configuration remediation to enable encryption for all internal transmission channels. Organizations should implement mandatory encryption protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher for all network communications within the FusionSphere OpenStack environment. The configuration management process must be strengthened to prevent similar misconfigurations in the future through automated compliance checking and security scanning tools. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to critical components, and regular security audits should be conducted to verify proper encryption implementation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous traffic patterns indicative of information leakage attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that encryption is properly enforced across all transmission channels without disrupting legitimate operational functions. System administrators must also establish robust change management procedures to prevent unauthorized modifications to network security configurations that could reintroduce this vulnerability.