CVE-2022-3276 in puppetlabs-mysql
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2022
Command injection is possible in the puppetlabs-mysql module prior to version 13.0.0. A malicious actor is able to exploit this vulnerability only if they are able to provide unsanitized input to the module. This condition is rare in most deployments of Puppet and Puppet Enterprise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3276 represents a critical command injection flaw within the puppetlabs-mysql module, affecting versions prior to 13.0.0. This issue stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands through the module's interface. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of configuration management and database administration, where puppetlabs-mysql serves as a bridge between puppet declarative language and mysql database operations. The module's design pattern typically involves executing system commands to manage mysql services, user accounts, and database configurations, creating potential attack vectors when user-provided parameters are not properly validated or escaped.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a malicious actor to manipulate input parameters that flow directly into shell execution contexts within the mysql module. This typically occurs when administrators or automated processes pass unsanitized user data into mysql resource declarations, such as database names, user credentials, or configuration parameters that are subsequently executed as system commands. The flaw manifests in scenarios where the module's internal command construction logic fails to properly escape special shell characters or validate input boundaries, allowing attackers to inject additional commands that execute with the privileges of the puppet agent process. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a classic command injection attack vector that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3276 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader configuration management security implications. In environments where puppet is used for infrastructure automation, this vulnerability can enable attackers to manipulate database configurations, create unauthorized user accounts, modify database schemas, or even exfiltrate sensitive data. The rarity of exploitation conditions in typical deployments does not diminish the severity, as the vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments with compromised puppet agents or where administrators have configured the module to accept untrusted input from external sources. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability through indirect means such as compromised user accounts, misconfigured puppet master servers, or through supply chain attacks targeting puppet modules. The attack surface expands when considering that puppet deployments often run with elevated privileges to manage system configurations, potentially allowing command injection to escalate to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3276 should prioritize immediate module version upgrades to 13.0.0 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation policies at all levels of their configuration management infrastructure, ensuring that any user-provided parameters are properly escaped or sanitized before being processed by the puppetlabs-mysql module. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened around puppet master servers to limit potential attack vectors, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of existing puppet configurations to identify potential injection points and ensure that all inputs flowing into mysql module parameters are properly validated. The remediation process should also include implementing principle of least privilege for puppet agents, restricting their execution capabilities to only those operations necessary for configuration management. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in configuration management tools and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through configuration management frameworks.