CVE-2018-19045 in keepalived
Summary
by MITRE
keepalived 2.0.8 used mode 0666 when creating new temporary files upon a call to PrintData or PrintStats, potentially leaking sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19045 affects keepalived version 2.0.8 and represents a security flaw in how the application handles temporary file creation during specific operational functions. This issue manifests when the software invokes PrintData or PrintStats commands, which are typically used for diagnostic and monitoring purposes within load balancing and high availability configurations. The flaw stems from the application's use of mode 0666 when creating temporary files, a permission setting that grants read and write access to all users on the system. This configuration creates a significant security risk as it allows unauthorized local users to potentially access or modify sensitive information that should remain protected within the context of the load balancing service.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of file system permissions during temporary file creation. When keepalived executes PrintData or PrintStats operations, it generates temporary files that contain diagnostic information, configuration data, and potentially sensitive operational details. The use of 0666 permissions means that any user on the system can read these files, effectively creating a information disclosure vulnerability. This flaw operates under the broader category of insecure file handling practices and can be classified under CWE-732, which deals with Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a component that is commonly used in production environments for maintaining service availability and load distribution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather intelligence about the system's configuration and operational status. In environments where keepalived is used for critical infrastructure protection, such as web servers, database clusters, or network load balancers, an attacker with local access could exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive data that might reveal network topology, service configurations, or operational parameters. This information could then be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks or to understand the system's architecture better. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which focuses on discovering system information, and T1005, which involves data from local system storage. The risk is particularly elevated in multi-tenant environments or shared hosting scenarios where multiple users have access to the same system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper file permission controls and ensuring that temporary files created by keepalived are not accessible to unauthorized users. System administrators should update to a patched version of keepalived that addresses this specific issue, as version 2.0.9 and later releases contain the necessary fixes. Additionally, implementing proper file system permissions and access controls can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to temporary files and ensure that the principle of least privilege is enforced throughout their systems. The fix typically involves changing the default file creation permissions to more restrictive settings that prevent unauthorized access while maintaining the functionality required for the application to operate correctly. Regular security audits of system components and proper configuration management practices should be implemented to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications within the infrastructure.