CVE-2018-11748 : Security Advisory and Response

In earlier versions of the Puppet device_manager module, the configuration files it generated exposed the credentials to the public. However, this problem has been addressed in the device_manager 2.7.0 release.

Understanding CVE-2018-11748

Previous releases of the Puppet device_manager module create configuration files containing credentials that are world-readable. This issue has been resolved as of device_manager 2.7.0.

What is CVE-2018-11748?

The vulnerability in CVE-2018-11748 allowed for the exposure of credentials in configuration files generated by the Puppet device_manager module.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11748

The exposure of credentials in configuration files could lead to unauthorized access and compromise of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11748

The technical details of the CVE-2018-11748 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The Puppet device_manager module in earlier versions created configuration files that made credentials publicly accessible.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Puppet device_manager module
Affected Version: All versions prior to 2.7.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by accessing the configuration files containing the exposed credentials.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-11748, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to device_manager version 2.7.0 or later to prevent credential exposure.
Review and update configuration files to ensure sensitive information is not exposed.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update access controls to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Implement secure coding practices to avoid inadvertent exposure of credentials in configuration files.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Puppet for the device_manager module to address the vulnerability.