CVE-2017-15566 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

SchedMD Slurm versions prior to 16.05.11, 17.x before 17.02.9, and 17.11.x before 17.11.0rc2 are vulnerable to privilege escalation through the SPANK environment variable.

Understanding CVE-2017-15566

This CVE involves insecure handling of the SPANK environment variable in SchedMD Slurm, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2017-15566?

A vulnerability in SchedMD Slurm versions allows an attacker to escalate privileges to root during the execution of Prolog or Epilog due to insecure SPANK environment variable handling.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15566

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to gain root privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15566

SchedMD Slurm versions prior to 16.05.11, 17.x before 17.02.9, and 17.11.x before 17.11.0rc2 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the insecure handling of the SPANK environment variable, enabling privilege escalation to root during Prolog or Epilog execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

SchedMD Slurm versions prior to 16.05.11
SchedMD Slurm 17.x before 17.02.9
SchedMD Slurm 17.11.x before 17.11.0rc2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the SPANK environment variable during the execution of Prolog or Epilog, allowing them to escalate privileges to root.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-15566.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update SchedMD Slurm to versions 16.05.11, 17.02.9, or 17.11.0rc2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities indicating potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and permissions.
Regularly audit and review system configurations to identify and address security weaknesses.
Educate system administrators and users on best security practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by SchedMD to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.