CVE-2026-44917 in Ironic
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2026
OpenStack Ironic before 35.0.2 allows a malicious authenticated project admin or manager to read local files on the Ironic conductor via a pxe_template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2026
OpenStack Ironic represents a critical infrastructure component responsible for provisioning and managing bare metal servers within cloud environments. The vulnerability under examination affects versions prior to 35.0.2 and stems from insufficient input validation within the pxe_template functionality. This flaw enables malicious actors with authenticated access at the project admin or manager level to execute unauthorized file reading operations on the underlying conductor system. The technical implementation permits attackers to manipulate template parameters in such a way that local file system traversal becomes possible, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or system information.
The vulnerability operates through a path traversal mechanism that exploits how the pxe_template processing handles user-supplied input. When an authenticated user with sufficient privileges submits a crafted template parameter, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before using it in file system operations. This creates an arbitrary file read condition that can be leveraged to access files outside of the intended scope. The flaw specifically relates to improper validation of template variables and path resolution within the conductor service, allowing attackers to construct malicious paths that bypass normal file access controls.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to cloud environments as it allows privilege escalation from project admin or manager roles to unauthorized file system access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potential credential exposure, configuration data theft, and possible system compromise. Attackers could access sensitive files such as database connection strings, API keys, SSH private keys, or other system configuration data that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access at the project level, which is often more accessible than system-level privileges in typical OpenStack deployments.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to OpenStack Ironic version 35.0.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for pxe_template parameters. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls, particularly for template variables, and employ proper path resolution techniques that prevent directory traversal attacks. The implementation of least privilege principles for project administrators and regular security auditing of template processing functions can significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of unusual file access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations including CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-77 Path Traversal in Multiple Contexts, which are categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter. The attack pattern demonstrates how authenticated access can be leveraged to achieve unauthorized system information access, representing a typical privilege escalation vector in cloud environments. Security practitioners should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring for template processing activities and establish automated scanning for similar input validation flaws across other OpenStack components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in adjacent systems.