CVE-2020-14156 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OpenBMC phosphor-host-ipmid before 2020-04-03 in user_channel/passwd_mgr.cpp does not ensure strong file permissions for /etc/ipmi-pass.

Understanding CVE-2020-14156

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in OpenBMC phosphor-host-ipmid that could lead to inadequate file permissions.

What is CVE-2020-14156?

The vulnerability in user_channel/passwd_mgr.cpp in OpenBMC phosphor-host-ipmid before 2020-04-03 allows for weak file permission settings on /etc/ipmi-pass.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14156

The lack of strong file permissions could potentially result in unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in /etc/ipmi-pass.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14156

OpenBMC phosphor-host-ipmid is affected by this vulnerability due to insufficient file permission enforcement.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the failure to ensure robust file permissions for the /etc/ipmi-pass file in user_channel/passwd_mgr.cpp.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions before 2020-04-03

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data by manipulating file permissions on /etc/ipmi-pass.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-14156, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenBMC phosphor-host-ipmid to the latest version.
Ensure proper file permissions are set for /etc/ipmi-pass.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update file permissions on critical system files.
Implement access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by OpenBMC to fix the file permission vulnerability in phosphor-host-ipmid.