CVE-2023-6725: OpenStack Designate Access-Control Flaw Exposes Sensitive Data, Including BIND Access Keys

A recent security vulnerability (CVE-2023-6725) was discovered in OpenStack Designate, a popular DNSaaS solution used in the OpenStack ecosystem. This access-control flaw exposes sensitive private configuration information, including access keys to BIND, due to world-readable permissions. An attacker with access to any container in the ecosystem can exploit this flaw and access the sensitive information. In this article, we will discuss the details of this vulnerability, provide a code snippet of the affected code, and discuss potential threat scenarios.

CVE-2023-6725 Overview

According to the NVD, the access-control flaw exists in the OpenStack Designate component. The permission settings on essential configuration files are incorrectly set to world-readable, which allows unauthorized access to sensitive data contained in these files.

Affected Component

The vulnerability resides in the OpenStack Designate component. OpenStack Designate is responsible for managing DNS services within the OpenStack ecosystem through a REST API. It allows users to manage their DNS records, which is an essential service for maintaining the stability and security of the network.

A sample permission setting in question can be found in the following code snippet

# Default permissions for the configuration files
CONF_FILE_PERMISSIONS = o644

In this code snippet, the CONF_FILE_PERMISSIONS constant is set to o644 which, when translated to file permissions, indicate that the file is readable by any user, including those who have no authorization to access the OpenStack Designate component. The flaw lies in the fact that sensitive information such as BIND access keys should not be readable by unauthorized users.

Exploit Details

Exploiting this vulnerability is quite simple: an attacker with access to any container in the OpenStack ecosystem only needs to locate and read the affected configuration files in order to gain access to critical information. By accessing these files, the attacker would be able to obtain the secret access keys for managing DNS services in the BIND DNS server and potentially execute arbitrary code on the server, disrupt services, or exfiltrate sensitive data.

Possible Threat Scenarios

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can have severe consequences for the affected organization. Depending on the goals of the attacker, they can:

1. Gain unauthorized access to the BIND DNS server and execute arbitrary code, potentially facilitating further attacks.

Modify DNS records, causing service disruptions or redirecting users to harmful sites.

3. Exfiltrate sensitive data from the affected configuration files, such as access keys or other credentials.

Conclusion

The CVE-2023-6725 access-control flaw in OpenStack Designate exposes sensitive private configuration information, including access keys to BIND, due to world-readable permission settings. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows unauthorized access to critical configuration information simply by having access to any container within the OpenStack ecosystem.

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to restrict access to sensitive information by modifying the permission settings on the affected configuration files, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access the data.

Keep an eye on OpenStack's Security Advisories for updates on any potential patches or workarounds. As always, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest security information and apply the necessary fixes to maintain a secure and stable environment.

Timeline

Published on: 03/15/2024 13:15:06 UTC
Last modified on: 05/22/2024 22:15:08 UTC