CVE-2023-3899 in subscription-manager
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2023
A vulnerability was found in subscription-manager that allows local privilege escalation due to inadequate authorization. The D-Bus interface com.redhat.RHSM1 exposes a significant number of methods to all users that could change the state of the registration. By using the com.redhat.RHSM1.Config.SetAll() method, a low-privileged local user could tamper with the state of the registration, by unregistering the system or by changing the current entitlements. This flaw allows an attacker to set arbitrary configuration directives for /etc/rhsm/rhsm.conf, which can be abused to cause a local privilege escalation to an unconfined root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3899 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within the subscription-manager component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. This issue stems from improper authorization controls within the D-Bus interface, specifically the com.redhat.RHSM1 interface which exposes numerous administrative methods to unprivileged users. The flaw resides in the design and implementation of access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions before allowing execution of sensitive operations. The D-Bus service architecture allows any local user to invoke methods that should typically be restricted to privileged system administrators or the root user, creating an unauthorized attack surface that directly compromises system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the com.redhat.RHSM1.Config.SetAll() method, which provides unrestricted access to modify critical system configuration parameters. When a low-privileged user invokes this method, they can manipulate the /etc/rhsm/rhsm.conf file with arbitrary configuration directives that fundamentally alter the system's subscription management behavior. This method operates without proper authentication checks or privilege validation, allowing unauthorized modification of system state information that governs how the system interacts with Red Hat subscription services. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which any local user can manipulate the system's registration state, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-3899 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system control and potential data exfiltration capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can unregister the system from Red Hat subscription management, effectively removing all entitlements and potentially causing service disruption. More critically, the ability to modify configuration files allows for the execution of arbitrary code with root privileges, as the modified configuration directives can be designed to trigger privileged operations or establish persistent access mechanisms. This vulnerability directly enables attackers to bypass standard security controls and gain complete administrative control over affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where system integrity and security are paramount.
The flaw manifests as a direct violation of several security principles including least privilege and principle of least authority, which are fundamental to secure system design. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-732, which covers incorrect permission assignment. The attack pattern follows typical privilege escalation techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1068, which covers local privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require network access or specialized tools, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any local user with basic system access. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including restricting D-Bus access permissions, implementing proper user privilege controls, and ensuring that system configuration files are protected against unauthorized modification to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.