CVE-2023-5182: Sensitive Data Exposure in Subiquity Logs Leads to Privilege Escalation

Privacy and security are at the forefront of modern technology. As we continue to rely on software to perform more and more essential tasks, it becomes increasingly important that these tools remain as airtight as possible. One such tool, Subiquity, has recently been found to possess a vulnerability that could potentially do more harm than good if not addressed urgently.

In this long read, we'll take a detailed look at CVE-2023-5182, a significant vulnerability discovered in Subiquity version 23.09.1 and earlier that could expose sensitive information in logs and lead to dangerous privilege escalation. This post will cover the exploit's details, provide a code snippet to properly showcase the issue, and include links to original references.

Exploit Details

This vulnerability, CVE-2023-5182, goes beyond your run-of-the-mill bug; it allows an attacker within the adm group to find and potentially exploit hashed passwords and escalate their privileges as a result. It is necessary to understand that, when sensitive data like hashed passwords are exposed, even a low-level attacker can attempt a brute-force attack—attempting countless password combinations—to crack the password hash and attain higher-level access in the system.

Subiquity, available at GitHub Repository, is an open-source server installer designed specifically for Ubuntu. Version 23.09.1 of this software and earlier versions contain this sensitive data exposure vulnerability. The disclosure of sensitive data in logs has far-reaching implications that pose serious threats to the security and privacy of users.

Below is a simple code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability

import logging
from subiquitycore import utils

def create_user(username, email, password):
    hashed_password = utils.hash_password(password)

    # The following log statement captures sensitive information
    logging.info(f"Creating user {username} with hashed password: {hashed_password}")

    # Rest of the user creation logic

In the create_user function, the line with logging.info() logs the hashed password of the newly created user in plaintext. Although it's not directly logging the plaintext password, the hashed version still represents a potential security risk. Exposure of these hashes opens the door for an attacker to use brute-force or dictionary attacks against the hashes, making it easier to crack the passwords.

To fix this issue, logging of sensitive information like hashed passwords should be avoided to prevent unintended exposure and potential privilege escalation.

Original References and Further Reading

1. Official Subiquity GitHub Repository
2. CVE Database Record for CVE-2023-5182
3. Security and Privacy Considerations in Logging
4. Securing Sensitive Data in Logs

Conclusion

In conclusion, CVE-2023-5182 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of keeping sensitive information secure. Developers should always be mindful of the potential risks associated with exposing sensitive data in logs, as attackers can capitalize on this exposure to escalate their privileges. By understanding the dangers and vulnerabilities associated with tools like Subiquity, developers can be better equipped to maintain robust, secure software.

Timeline

Published on: 10/07/2023 00:15:11 UTC
Last modified on: 10/11/2023 18:05:32 UTC