CVE-2018-11746 in Puppet Discovery
Summary
by MITRE
In Puppet Discovery prior to 1.2.0, when running Discovery against Windows hosts, WinRM connections can fall back to using basic auth over insecure channels if a HTTPS server is not available. This can expose the login credentials being used by Puppet Discovery.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11746 affects Puppet Discovery versions prior to 1.2.0 and specifically impacts Windows host management operations. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the authentication mechanism used by Puppet Discovery when establishing connections with Windows systems through WinRM protocols. The vulnerability stems from an insecure fallback behavior that occurs when HTTPS connectivity is unavailable, potentially compromising sensitive authentication credentials during system discovery operations.
The technical flaw manifests when Puppet Discovery attempts to establish WinRM connections to Windows hosts and encounters scenarios where HTTPS servers are not accessible or properly configured. In such cases, the system automatically reverts to using basic authentication over insecure channels, bypassing the security measures that should normally protect credential transmission. This fallback mechanism creates an attack surface where authentication credentials can be intercepted and potentially exploited by malicious actors who have network access to the communication path between the Puppet Discovery server and target Windows hosts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Puppet Discovery operations against Windows environments. Organizations relying on Puppet Discovery for automated system management and configuration may unknowingly expose their administrative credentials to interception attacks, particularly in environments where network segmentation or proper HTTPS infrastructure is not fully implemented. The vulnerability affects the core authentication process and can lead to unauthorized access to managed Windows systems, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation within the network infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, as it involves the transmission of sensitive authentication data over insecure channels. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as it can enable credential compromise and subsequent unauthorized access to target systems. The vulnerability also relates to T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as it can facilitate both credential theft and reconnaissance activities against managed Windows hosts.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Puppet Discovery version 1.2.0 or later to address this vulnerability, as the fix implements proper authentication handling that prevents fallback to insecure basic authentication methods. Additional mitigations include ensuring proper HTTPS infrastructure is in place for WinRM connections, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unauthorized WinRM connections. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their Puppet Discovery configurations to identify any instances where insecure fallback mechanisms might still be active, and consider implementing network-level protections such as firewalls or intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious WinRM traffic patterns.