CVE-2023-1625 in Openstack Heat
Summary
by MITRE • 09/24/2023
An information leak was discovered in OpenStack heat. This issue could allow a remote, authenticated attacker to use the 'stack show' command to reveal parameters which are supposed to remain hidden. This has a low impact to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
OpenStack Heat represents a critical infrastructure component for cloud orchestration, providing automated deployment and management of cloud resources through template-based configurations. The information leak vulnerability identified within this platform stems from improper handling of sensitive parameter masking during stack operations. When administrators execute the 'stack show' command to retrieve stack details, the system fails to properly filter or obscure parameters that should remain confidential, potentially exposing credentials, private keys, or other sensitive configuration data to authenticated attackers who possess legitimate access rights.
This vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the confidentiality principle of information security by allowing unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data elements. The flaw resides in the parameter validation and output rendering mechanisms within Heat's stack management functionality, where input parameters are not consistently sanitized before being displayed in command responses. Attackers can exploit this by leveraging legitimate administrative privileges to query stack configurations through the heat client interface, thereby gaining access to information that should remain protected according to security best practices for cloud orchestration platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates potential pathways for privilege escalation and lateral movement within cloud environments. Even though the attack requires authentication, the disclosure of hidden parameters could enable attackers to gain deeper insights into system configurations, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks targeting other components of the OpenStack infrastructure. This type of information leakage aligns with CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling, and may also relate to CWE-542, concerning information exposure through external entities.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive parameter validation within Heat's stack management functions, enhanced access controls for administrative commands, and regular auditing of stack configurations. Organizations must ensure that all sensitive parameters are properly masked in command outputs regardless of user permissions, implementing proper input sanitization before any display operations occur. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of stack parameter queries, particularly those involving sensitive data types. The remediation process should include updating Heat components to versions that address this specific information leak vulnerability while maintaining compliance with cloud security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for information system security and the Cloud Security Alliance's security guidance for cloud orchestration platforms.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper information flow control in cloud management systems, where even authenticated users should not have access to data beyond their operational requirements. This issue demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration gaps can create significant security risks in complex cloud environments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and continuous monitoring of orchestration platforms against both internal and external threats. The vulnerability also underscores ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential access through various attack vectors including command execution and information gathering activities that could leverage such information leaks to expand their operational capabilities within compromised cloud infrastructures.