CVE-2020-12691 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2020-12691 on OpenStack Keystone. Learn about the vulnerability allowing unauthorized users to escalate privileges and how to mitigate the risk.
OpenStack Keystone before versions 15.0.1 and 16.0.0 allows authenticated users to create EC2 credentials for a project they have a role on, potentially leading to privilege escalation.
Understanding CVE-2020-12691
This CVE highlights a vulnerability in OpenStack Keystone that could be exploited by authenticated users to gain unauthorized access.
What is CVE-2020-12691?
CVE-2020-12691 is a security flaw in OpenStack Keystone that enables authenticated users to create EC2 credentials for a project they have a specified role on, potentially allowing them to impersonate other users.
The Impact of CVE-2020-12691
The vulnerability could be exploited by a malicious user to act as an admin on a project where another user has admin privileges, potentially granting global admin rights.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-12691
OpenStack Keystone's vulnerability exposes users to credential manipulation and potential privilege escalation.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw allows authenticated users to create EC2 credentials for a project they have a role on, enabling them to masquerade as other users.
Affected Systems and Versions
- OpenStack Keystone versions before 15.0.1 and 16.0.0
Exploitation Mechanism
- Authenticated users can create EC2 credentials for a project they have a specified role on.
- They can then update the credential user and project, allowing them to impersonate other users.
Mitigation and Prevention
It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade OpenStack Keystone to version 15.0.1 or 16.0.0 to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor and review EC2 credentials for any unauthorized changes.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly review and update user roles and permissions within OpenStack Keystone.
- Conduct security training for users to raise awareness of credential security.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches and updates provided by OpenStack to address this vulnerability.