CVE-2022-0852 in convert2rhel
Summary
by MITRE • 08/29/2022
There is a flaw in convert2rhel. convert2rhel passes the Red Hat account password to subscription-manager via the command line, which could allow unauthorized users locally on the machine to view the password via the process command line via e.g. htop or ps. The specific impact varies upon the privileges of the Red Hat account in question, but it could affect the integrity, availability, and/or data confidentiality of other systems that are administered by that account. This occurs regardless of how the password is supplied to convert2rhel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0852 affects the convert2rhel tool, a utility designed to migrate systems from Red Hat Enterprise Linux variants to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This flaw represents a critical security issue that stems from improper handling of authentication credentials during the system migration process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-256, which addresses the storage of passwords in cleartext within command line arguments, making it susceptible to exposure through process enumeration tools.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when convert2rhel accepts Red Hat account credentials through command line parameters rather than secure credential storage mechanisms. When the tool executes subscription-manager commands, it passes the password directly as a command line argument, creating a persistent exposure in the process table. This design flaw allows any local user with sufficient privileges to access process information through standard system monitoring tools such as htop, ps, or similar utilities, effectively exposing the password in cleartext within the process arguments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as the compromised Red Hat account credentials could provide unauthorized access to multiple systems managed by that account. The specific consequences depend on the privileges associated with the Red Hat account, but could potentially compromise the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of systems administered through that account. This represents a significant risk in environments where multiple systems are managed through a centralized account, as exposure of a single credential could lead to widespread compromise of the infrastructure.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1003.001 technique for Credential Dumping, where adversaries may attempt to extract credentials from process memory or command line arguments. The vulnerability aligns with T1552.001 for Unsecured Credentials and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it enables unauthorized access to legitimate Red Hat accounts through credential exposure. Organizations should implement mitigations including immediate credential rotation, deployment of secure credential management solutions, and modification of convert2rhel usage patterns to avoid command line credential passing. The recommended remediation involves updating to versions of convert2rhel that properly handle credentials through secure input mechanisms rather than command line arguments, ensuring that authentication information is not exposed through process enumeration techniques.