CVE-2018-1198 in Cloud Cache
Summary
by MITRE
Pivotal Cloud Cache, versions prior to 1.3.1, prints a superuser password in plain text during BOSH deployment logs. A malicious user with access to the logs could escalate their privileges using this password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2020
Pivotal Cloud Cache represents a distributed in-memory data grid solution that operates within cloud environments, particularly designed for high-performance caching operations in enterprise applications. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.3.1 where the deployment process through BOSH framework inadvertently exposes critical system credentials in plaintext format within the deployment logs. This flaw represents a significant security oversight as it directly violates fundamental principles of credential management and access control within cloud-native environments. The BOSH deployment process, which automates the provisioning and configuration of cloud infrastructure components, fails to properly sanitize or obfuscate sensitive information during its execution lifecycle, creating an exploitable condition that compromises system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials during the automated deployment workflow. When BOSH executes the deployment process for Pivotal Cloud Cache, it generates verbose logging output that includes the plaintext superuser password in the deployment artifacts. This occurs because the deployment scripts and configuration management components do not implement proper credential masking or secure logging practices. The password appears in the clear within the BOSH deployment logs, which are typically accessible to various system administrators and operational personnel during the deployment process. This design flaw creates a persistent exposure window where any individual with access to the deployment logs can extract the superuser credentials, effectively providing unauthorized access to the entire caching infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables privilege escalation attacks that can compromise the entire cloud cache environment. An attacker who gains access to the deployment logs can immediately leverage the exposed superuser password to assume administrative control over the cache cluster, potentially leading to data exfiltration, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized access to superuser credentials that should remain protected and accessible only to authorized personnel. This exposure creates a critical attack surface that can be exploited by both internal malicious actors with log access and external attackers who may gain access to the deployment environment through other compromise vectors. The impact is particularly severe in multi-tenant cloud environments where multiple customers or teams share the same infrastructure, as the exposure could affect multiple cache instances.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure logging practices and credential management protocols. Organizations should upgrade to Pivotal Cloud Cache version 1.3.1 or later, which implements proper credential sanitization during deployment operations. The solution involves configuring BOSH deployment manifests to prevent plaintext credential output in logs, implementing log filtering mechanisms, and establishing proper access controls for deployment artifacts. Security teams should implement log monitoring and alerting systems to detect potential credential exposure in real-time, while also conducting regular audits of deployment processes to ensure proper credential handling. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information in error messages, and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which focuses on credentials from password storage devices. Organizations must also establish comprehensive security training for deployment personnel and implement automated security scanning of deployment artifacts to prevent similar credential exposure issues in other system components. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated deployment procedures to ensure that no plaintext credentials are exposed during normal operational activities while maintaining the necessary operational visibility for system administrators.