CVE-2019-10194 in Metrics
Summary
by MITRE
Sensitive passwords used in deployment and configuration of oVirt Metrics, all versions. were found to be insufficiently protected. Passwords could be disclosed in log files (if playbooks are run with -v) or in playbooks stored on Metrics or Bastion hosts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10194 represents a critical security weakness in the oVirt Metrics deployment and configuration process that affects all versions of the platform. This issue stems from inadequate protection mechanisms for sensitive authentication credentials that are essential for system operation and management. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of passwords during the automation processes that configure and deploy oVirt Metrics components, creating a persistent risk that extends beyond the immediate deployment phase.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient obfuscation and protection of password values within automated deployment scripts and configuration files. When ansible playbooks are executed with verbose output parameters such as the -v flag, sensitive password information becomes exposed in log files, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the monitored systems. Additionally, the passwords remain stored in plain text within playbooks located on both Metrics and Bastion hosts, which represent critical infrastructure components in the oVirt environment. This dual exposure mechanism significantly increases the attack surface and provides multiple vectors for credential compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of virtualized environments managed by oVirt. Attackers who gain access to these exposed passwords can potentially escalate their privileges to gain full control over the monitored infrastructure, including virtual machines, storage systems, and network resources. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire oVirt ecosystem, as compromised credentials could enable lateral movement throughout the virtualized environment and provide access to sensitive operational data. This weakness particularly impacts organizations that rely heavily on automated deployment processes and continuous monitoring capabilities, as the exposure occurs during routine operational activities.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and represents a significant deviation from established security best practices for configuration management. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers credentials in files, highlighting the persistent nature of the exposure. Organizations should implement comprehensive remediation strategies including the immediate removal of exposed credentials from logs and configuration files, the adoption of secure credential management solutions such as ansible vault or external secret management systems, and the implementation of strict access controls on deployment hosts. Additionally, operational procedures should be updated to prevent verbose logging during sensitive operations and to establish automated processes for credential rotation and secure storage. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of applying security controls throughout the entire software development and deployment lifecycle, particularly when dealing with sensitive authentication information in automated environments.