CVE-2022-2447 in OpenStack
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2022
A flaw was found in OpenStack. The application credential tokens can be used even after they have expired. This flaw allows an authenticated remote attacker to obtain access despite the defender's efforts to remove access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2447 resides within the OpenStack identity service, specifically affecting the application credential token management system. This flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the fundamental security controls designed to govern access to cloud resources. The vulnerability manifests when application credentials, which should automatically expire according to predefined policies, continue to function beyond their designated timeframes. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and time-based access control that security architects rely upon to maintain secure cloud environments. The flaw exists within the token validation mechanism where the system fails to properly enforce expiration timestamps, allowing malicious actors to leverage stale credentials for unauthorized access.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of token expiration states within the OpenStack identity service implementation. Application credentials in OpenStack are designed to provide programmatic access to cloud resources with specific permissions and time constraints. When these credentials expire, the system should invalidate them immediately through proper token revocation mechanisms. However, in this case, the authentication service continues to accept and validate expired tokens, effectively creating a persistent access vector. The flaw likely occurs in the token verification routine where the system does not properly check the current time against the token's expiration timestamp or fails to maintain an up-to-date revocation list that would prevent the use of expired credentials. This issue demonstrates poor adherence to security best practices and represents a failure in the token lifecycle management processes that are essential for maintaining secure access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2447 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, creating significant risks for cloud environments that rely heavily on automated credential management. An authenticated remote attacker who gains access to valid application credentials can continue to operate within the system indefinitely, even after administrators have attempted to revoke those credentials through standard procedures. This persistent access capability enables attackers to maintain footholds in cloud environments for extended periods, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement, and privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability undermines the security posture of OpenStack deployments by allowing attackers to circumvent access control mechanisms that should automatically terminate compromised credential usage. Organizations may believe they have secured their systems through credential revocation, only to discover that expired tokens continue to function, creating a false sense of security. This flaw particularly impacts multi-tenant environments where credential compromise could affect multiple users and services within the cloud infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2447 should focus on immediate system hardening and implementation of compensating controls while awaiting official patches from OpenStack maintainers. Organizations should implement additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual credential usage patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all application credentials within their OpenStack deployments to identify potentially compromised tokens that may have been active beyond their intended expiration periods. The implementation of continuous credential validation checks and enhanced logging of authentication events can help detect unauthorized usage of expired tokens. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing role-based access controls with tighter permission boundaries and regular credential rotation schedules to minimize the impact of compromised credentials. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 requirements for access control and credential management. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts, as it enables attackers to maintain access using compromised but not properly revoked credentials. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they account for this specific type of credential bypass vulnerability.