CVE-2018-16849 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered in the openstack-mistral software where manipulating the filename of the SSH private key could lead to revealing arbitrary files on the executor's filesystem.

Understanding CVE-2018-16849

This CVE involves a vulnerability in openstack-mistral that allows the disclosure of files on the executor's filesystem by altering the SSH private key filename.

What is CVE-2018-16849?

The vulnerability in openstack-mistral enables an attacker to use the std.ssh action to determine the existence of files on the executor's filesystem by manipulating the SSH private key filename.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16849

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as LOW severity with a CVSS base score of 3.1. It has a high attack complexity and requires low privileges to exploit, posing a risk to confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16849

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in openstack-mistral allows an attacker to reveal arbitrary files on the executor's filesystem by changing the SSH private key filename.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: openstack-mistral
Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
Versions affected: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the filename of the SSH private key, attackers can exploit the std.ssh action to assess the existence of files on the executor's filesystem.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-16849 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches or updates promptly to address the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive files and directories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong file permission settings to limit unauthorized access.
Regularly audit and monitor file access and changes on the filesystem.
Educate users on secure file handling practices.
Consider using file integrity monitoring tools to detect unauthorized changes.
Stay informed about security updates and best practices.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the affected systems are updated with the latest patches provided by the vendor to mitigate the vulnerability.