CVE-2019-14825 in Katello
Summary
by MITRE
A cleartext password storage issue was discovered in Katello, versions 3.x.x.x before katello 3.12.0.9. Registry credentials used during container image discovery were inadvertently logged without being masked. This flaw could expose the registry credentials to other privileged users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14825 represents a critical cleartext password storage issue within Katello version 3.x.x.x prior to 3.12.0.9. This flaw specifically affects the container image discovery process where registry credentials are inadvertently logged in plain text format. The technical implementation fails to properly mask or obfuscate sensitive authentication credentials during the logging operations that occur when Katello discovers container images from remote registries. This design oversight creates a significant security risk where privileged users who have access to system logs can directly extract and utilize the exposed credentials for unauthorized access to container registries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure as it fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling within the Katello ecosystem. When registry credentials are logged in cleartext, they become accessible to any user with read permissions on the logging system, potentially including unauthorized personnel or compromised accounts within the organization. This flaw creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by both internal and external attackers who gain access to system logs, effectively providing them with direct access to container repositories and the ability to pull, push, or manipulate container images within those registries.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Password) while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts). The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization practices during credential handling operations, where the system fails to properly filter or mask sensitive data before logging. This weakness is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Katello is used for managing containerized applications and where the exposure of registry credentials could lead to complete compromise of container orchestration platforms and the underlying infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Katello version 3.12.0.9 or later where the credential masking functionality has been properly implemented. Additional protective measures should include restricting log file access to only authorized personnel, implementing log rotation and monitoring procedures, and conducting regular security audits of system logs to detect any potential credential exposure. The remediation process should also involve re-evaluating all container registry credentials that may have been exposed and implementing proper credential management practices including the use of temporary tokens, role-based access controls, and automated credential rotation mechanisms to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities.