CVE-2024-41129 in operator
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
The ops library is a Python framework for developing and testing Kubernetes and machine charms. The issue here is that ops passes the secret content as one of the args via CLI. This issue may affect any of the charms that are using: Juju (>=3.0), Juju secrets and not correctly capturing and processing `subprocess.CalledProcessError`. This vulnerability is fixed in 2.15.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The CVE-2024-41129 vulnerability resides within the ops library, a Python framework designed for developing and testing Kubernetes and machine charms that integrates with Juju orchestration platform. This security flaw manifests when the library passes secret content as command-line arguments during subprocess execution, creating a significant exposure risk for sensitive data. The vulnerability specifically impacts environments utilizing Juju version 3.0 or higher that employ Juju secrets functionality, where the ops library fails to properly handle subprocess.CalledProcessError exceptions during secret processing operations. The flaw represents a critical weakness in how the framework manages sensitive information during charm operations, potentially exposing confidential data through command-line argument exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of subprocess calls within the ops library's secret management code path. When charms utilizing Juju secrets execute operations through the ops framework, the secret content becomes embedded directly within command-line arguments passed to subprocess calls. This approach violates fundamental security principles for handling sensitive data, as command-line arguments are often visible in process lists and system logs, making secret content easily accessible to unauthorized users or processes with appropriate privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core operational flow of charm execution, where secret handling occurs during routine operations rather than exceptional conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-41129 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable privilege escalation and unauthorized access to protected resources within Juju-managed environments. Attackers who can observe command-line arguments or process information can extract sensitive data such as API keys, passwords, or cryptographic tokens that are passed as CLI parameters. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of Juju secret management, which is fundamental to secure cloud infrastructure operations. The issue is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where multiple charms operate concurrently, as it could enable cross-tenant data leakage or unauthorized access to shared resources.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires updating to version 2.15.0 or later of the ops library, which implements proper secret handling mechanisms that avoid passing sensitive data through command-line arguments. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring for command-line argument exposure and establish proper subprocess error handling to prevent similar issues in other components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-77 (Command Injection) categories, representing a clear violation of secure coding practices for handling sensitive data in system processes. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure parameter handling in cloud-native application frameworks, particularly when dealing with privileged operations and sensitive configuration data. Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability across all Juju deployments utilizing charms that depend on the affected ops library version, as the exposure window remains significant until proper updates are implemented.