CVE-2021-3585 in openstack-tripleo-heat-templates
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2022
A flaw was found in openstack-tripleo-heat-templates. Plain passwords from RHSM exist in the logs during OSP13 deployment with subscription-manager.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-3585 resides within the openstack-tripleo-heat-templates component of the OpenStack platform, specifically affecting deployments using OSP13 (OpenStack Platform 13) with subscription-manager for Red Hat Subscription Management. This flaw represents a critical security oversight where plain text passwords from the Red Hat Subscription Management system are inadvertently logged during the deployment process, creating a significant exposure risk for sensitive authentication credentials. The issue occurs within the orchestration templates that govern the deployment of OpenStack environments, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise cloud infrastructure that relies on automated deployment processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within logging mechanisms during the deployment workflow. When subscription-manager executes during the OSP13 deployment process, it requires authentication credentials to access Red Hat repositories and services. These credentials, which should remain protected and encrypted, are being written to log files in plain text format. This behavior violates fundamental security principles for credential management and demonstrates a lack of proper sanitization of sensitive data within the logging subsystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-209, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through error messages, though in this case the exposure occurs through log files rather than error responses. The flaw essentially creates a persistent exposure window where authentication credentials can be retrieved from system logs by unauthorized users with access to the deployment environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential exposure to encompass broader security implications for OpenStack deployments. Organizations using TripleO (TripleO is OpenStack's orchestration tool) for deploying OpenStack environments face significant risk of credential compromise when using OSP13 with subscription-manager. The exposure of RHSM passwords in logs creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to Red Hat subscription services, potentially enabling them to access proprietary software, receive updates, or even modify subscription configurations. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can leverage the compromised credentials to access additional systems or services within the organization's infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these logs often persist for extended periods and may be accessible to multiple system administrators or automated monitoring tools, creating multiple potential entry points for unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-3585 should prioritize immediate remediation through patching the affected openstack-tripleo-heat-templates component to ensure that sensitive data is properly sanitized before logging. Organizations should implement comprehensive log sanitization procedures that automatically redact or encrypt sensitive information before it is written to log files. The implementation of proper credential management practices, including the use of environment variables or secure vault systems for storing subscription credentials, should be enforced. Security monitoring should include log scanning capabilities to detect and alert on potential credential exposure. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's T1555.003 technique for credential access, which emphasizes the importance of protecting stored credentials and implementing proper access controls. Regular security audits of log files and deployment processes should be conducted to ensure that no sensitive information is being inadvertently exposed, with particular attention to the handling of authentication tokens and passwords in automated deployment environments.