CVE-2020-10712 in Container Platform
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in OpenShift Container Platform version 4.1 and later. Sensitive information was found to be logged by the image registry operator allowing an attacker able to gain access to those logs, to read and write to the storage backing the internal image registry. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data integrity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10712 affects the OpenShift Container Platform version 4.1 and later, representing a critical security flaw in the image registry operator component. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive information within the logging mechanisms of the platform's container registry functionality. The flaw manifests when the image registry operator inadvertently logs sensitive data that should remain protected, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to the underlying storage systems that back the internal image registry. The vulnerability specifically impacts the integrity of data stored within the registry, as the logging practices expose information that could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges and manipulate the storage infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the image registry operator's logging subsystem failing to properly sanitize or filter sensitive information before writing it to log files. This creates a situation where attackers with access to the logging infrastructure can extract credentials, access tokens, or other confidential data that should remain protected. The flaw falls under the category of information exposure vulnerabilities, specifically aligning with CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through error messages, and potentially CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through logging mechanisms. The registry operator's logging behavior creates a direct pathway for attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain write access to the storage backing the internal image registry, effectively compromising the integrity and confidentiality of container images stored within the platform.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to the security posture of OpenShift environments, particularly those relying on the internal image registry for container image management. The ability for an attacker to read and write to the backing storage means they can potentially modify, delete, or inject malicious container images into the registry, leading to supply chain compromises and potential system compromises. The threat level is particularly high for data integrity as attackers could manipulate the container images that applications depend upon, potentially introducing backdoors or malicious code into production environments. This vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege, as unauthorized access to registry storage could allow attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially escalate their privileges within the container orchestration platform. The attack surface is expanded through the logging mechanism, which provides a potential entry point for attackers to gain deeper access to the underlying storage infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10712 should focus on implementing proper log sanitization and access controls for the image registry operator. Organizations should ensure that sensitive information is not logged in plain text format and that log access is restricted to authorized personnel only. The recommended approach includes implementing proper logging policies that prevent sensitive data from being written to logs, utilizing log aggregation and monitoring systems that can detect and alert on suspicious access patterns, and ensuring that the registry operator's logging configuration is properly secured. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls around the registry storage infrastructure can help limit the impact of potential exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security audits of logging configurations and access controls, as well as ensuring that the OpenShift platform is updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability. The mitigation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.006, which focuses on credential dumping and access control bypass, and addresses the broader security principle of protecting sensitive information through proper logging and access control mechanisms.