CVE-2019-10213 in Container Platform
Summary
by MITRE
OpenShift Container Platform, versions 4.1 and 4.2, does not sanitize secret data written to pod logs when the log level in a given operator is set to Debug or higher. A low privileged user could read pod logs to discover secret material if the log level has already been modified in an operator by a privileged user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10213 affects OpenShift Container Platform versions 4.1 and 4.2, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from inadequate sanitization of sensitive data within pod logging mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically manifests when operators within the platform are configured to operate at Debug or higher log levels, creating an unintended exposure of confidential information that should remain protected. The flaw exists at the operational level where the platform fails to properly filter or redact secret data from log output, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive material that would normally be restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the logging subsystem of the OpenShift platform where secret data is written to pod logs without proper sanitization procedures. When operators are configured with Debug logging enabled, the system outputs detailed operational information including environment variables, configuration parameters, and credential information directly to the pod log streams. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and data protection, as the logging mechanism does not distinguish between normal operational information and sensitive secret material. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to improper sanitization of log output, making it a direct descendant of weak logging security practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to create potential attack vectors for low privileged users who may not have direct access to secret management systems. An attacker with minimal privileges could potentially access pod logs through standard platform interfaces and extract sensitive information including API keys, passwords, certificates, and other confidential data that has been inadvertently written to log files. This creates a significant risk for environments where operators have been configured with elevated logging levels for troubleshooting purposes, as the privileged user who modified the logging configuration may not be aware of the security implications for other platform users. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1070.004 "Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion" and T1566.002 "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" in that it enables attackers to access information that could be used to escalate privileges or conduct further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10213 require immediate attention to platform configuration management and logging policies. Organizations should implement strict controls over log level modifications, ensuring that Debug logging is only enabled when absolutely necessary and only by authorized privileged users with proper security clearance. The recommended approach involves configuring operators to use appropriate log levels that do not expose sensitive data, typically restricting logging to Info or Warning levels in production environments. Additionally, implementing log sanitization procedures that automatically filter out sensitive data from log output, regardless of log level settings, provides an additional layer of protection. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized changes to logging configurations and implement regular audits of log level settings across all operators. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper logging security practices and demonstrates how seemingly benign operational configurations can create significant security risks when not properly managed according to security best practices.