CVE-2023-32196: Github.com/rancher/rancher Rancher's External RoleTemplates Can Lead Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-64jq-m7rq-768h
CVSS 6.6
CWE-269
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-32196 is a HIGH (CVSS 6.6) rancher's external roletemplates can lead vulnerability (CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management) affecting Github.com/rancher/rancher libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves rancher's external roletemplates can lead to privilege escalation. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.7.14, 2.8.5.

CVE-2023-32196 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-32196
GHSA Identifier GHSA-64jq-m7rq-768h
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.6
CWE Classification CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management
Affected Product Github.com/rancher/rancher
Package Ecosystem Go
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.6

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required High (PR:H)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2023-32196

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/rancher/rancher dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

github.com/rancher/rancher fixed: 2.7.14
Upgrade github.com/rancher/rancher to 2.7.14
github.com/rancher/rancher fixed: 2.8.5
Upgrade github.com/rancher/rancher to 2.8.5
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

inspect dependencies for github.com/rancher/rancher

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2023-32196, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/rancher/rancher:

inspect dependencies for github.com/rancher/rancher

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/rancher/rancher in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.7.14), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management, where the product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. In Github.com/rancher/rancher, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact A vulnerability has been identified whereby privilege escalation checks are not properly enforced for `RoleTemplate`objects when external=true, which in specific scenarios can lead to privilege escalation. The bug in the webhook rule resolver ignores rules from a `ClusterRole` for external `RoleTemplates` when its context is set to either `project` or is left empty. The fix introduces a new field to the `RoleTemplate` CRD named `ExternalRules`. The new field will be used to resolve rules directly from the `RoleTemplate`. Additionally, rules from the backing `ClusterRole` will be used if `ExternalRules` is not provided. The new field will always take precedence when it is set, and serve as the source of truth for rules used when creating Rancher resources on the local cluster. Please note that this is a breaking change for external `RoleTemplates`, when context is set to `project` or empty and the backing `ClusterRole` does not exist, as this was not previously required. **Important:** The fix is automatically applied when upgrading to the release lines `2.8`and above. For users still on the `2.7` release line, after the upgrade to a patched version, users are required to opt-in to the fix by enabling the `external-rules` [feature flag](https://ranchermanager.docs.rancher.com/getting-started/installation-and-upgrade/installation-references/feature-flags). Please consult the associated [MITRE ATT&CK - Technique - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1068/) for further information about this category of attack. ### Patches Patched versions include releases `2.7.14` and `2.8.5`. ### Workarounds The following script was developed for Rancher Manager administrators to identify `RoleTemplates` impacted by this vulnerability. The script requires `jq` installed and a `kubeconfig` with access to Rancher local cluster; it can also be executed in Rancher's kubectl shell. ```bash #!/bin/bash set -euo pipefail # get all RoleTemplates with .context == "project" or .context == "" that don't have externalRules. rts=$(kubectl get roletemplates -o json | jq -r '.items[] | select((.context == "project" or .context == "") and .external == true and .externalRules == null and .builtin == false) | .metadata.name') found_invalid_rt=false for rt in $rts; do if ! kubectl get clusterrole "$rt" > /dev/null 2>&1; then echo "$rt" # prints RoleTemplate names that don't have a backing ClusterRole found_invalid_rt=true fi done if ! $found_invalid_rt ; then echo 'This cluster is not affected by CVE-2023-32197: no RoleTemplate objects found' fi ``` It will return all objects affected by this vulnerability. The administrator can fix those objects by creating the backing `ClusterRole` that they refer to. ### References - [CVE-2023-32196](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-32196) If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: - Reach out to the [SUSE Rancher Security team](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/security/policy) for security-related inquiries. - Open an issue in the [Rancher](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/issues/new/choose) repository. - Verify with our [support matrix](https://www.suse.com/suse-rancher/support-matrix/all-supported-versions/) and [product support lifecycle](https://www.suse.com/lifecycle/).

CVE-2023-32196 Affected Github.com/rancher/rancher Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.7.142.8.5
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
github.com/rancher/rancher
Go
≥ 2.7.0
< 2.7.14
2.7.14
github.com/rancher/rancher
Go
≥ 2.8.0
< 2.8.5
2.8.5

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-32196?
CVE-2023-32196 is a security vulnerability in Github.com/rancher/rancher involving Rancher's External RoleTemplates can lead to privilege escalation under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management.
Which Github.com/rancher/rancher versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.7.14, 2.8.5 across affected packages: github.com/rancher/rancher.
What version fixes CVE-2023-32196?
Upgrading to 2.7.14, 2.8.5 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is github.com/rancher/rancher affected?
Yes, github.com/rancher/rancher is affected in releases prior to 2.7.14, 2.8.5. Upgrade your dependency to 2.7.14, 2.8.5 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-32196?
CVE-2023-32196 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.6 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-32196?
CVE-2023-32196 is classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management (The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.).
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2023-32196?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for github.com/rancher/rancher'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-64jq-m7rq-768h",
  "modified" : "2024-10-16T17:26:07Z",
  "published" : "2024-06-17T22:30:51Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-32196" ],
  "summary" : "Rancher's External RoleTemplates can lead to privilege escalation",
  "details" : "### Impact\nA vulnerability has been identified whereby privilege escalation checks are not properly enforced for `RoleTemplate`objects when external=true, which in specific scenarios can lead to privilege escalation.\n\nThe bug in the webhook rule resolver ignores rules from a `ClusterRole` for external `RoleTemplates` when its context is set to either `project` or is left empty. The fix introduces a new field to the `RoleTemplate` CRD named `ExternalRules`. The new field will be used to resolve rules directly from the `RoleTemplate`. Additionally, rules from the backing `ClusterRole` will be used if `ExternalRules` is not provided. The new field will always take precedence when it is set, and serve as the source of truth for rules used when creating Rancher resources on the local cluster.\n\nPlease note that this is a breaking change for external `RoleTemplates`, when context is set to `project` or empty and the backing `ClusterRole` does not exist, as this was not previously required.\n\n**Important:** The fix is automatically applied when upgrading to the release lines `2.8`and above. For users still on the `2.7` release line, after the upgrade to a patched version, users are required to opt-in to the fix by enabling the `external-rules` [feature flag](https://ranchermanager.docs.rancher.com/getting-started/installation-and-upgrade/installation-references/feature-flags).\n\nPlease consult the associated [MITRE ATT&CK - Technique - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1068/) for further information about this category of attack.\n\n### Patches\nPatched versions include releases `2.7.14` and `2.8.5`.\n\n### Workarounds\nThe following script was developed for Rancher Manager administrators to identify `RoleTemplates` impacted by this vulnerability. The script requires `jq` installed and a `kubeconfig` with access to Rancher local cluster; it can also be executed in Rancher's kubectl shell.\n\n```bash\n#!/bin/bash\nset -euo pipefail\n\n# get all RoleTemplates with .context == \"project\" or .context == \"\" that don't have externalRules.\nrts=$(kubectl get roletemplates -o json | jq -r  '.items[] | select((.context == \"project\" or .context == \"\") and .external == true and .externalRules == null and .builtin == false) | .metadata.name')\nfound_invalid_rt=false\n\nfor rt in $rts; do\n  if ! kubectl get clusterrole \"$rt\" > /dev/null 2>&1; then\n     echo \"$rt\" # prints RoleTemplate names that don't have a backing ClusterRole\n     found_invalid_rt=true\n  fi\ndone\n\nif ! $found_invalid_rt ; then\n    echo 'This cluster is not affected by CVE-2023-32197: no RoleTemplate objects found'\nfi\n```\n\nIt will return all objects affected by this vulnerability. The administrator can fix those objects by creating the backing `ClusterRole` that they refer to.\n\n\n### References\n- [CVE-2023-32196](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-32196)\n\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n- Reach out to the [SUSE Rancher Security team](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/security/policy) for security-related inquiries.\n- Open an issue in the [Rancher](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/issues/new/choose) repository.\n- Verify with our [support matrix](https://www.suse.com/suse-rancher/support-matrix/all-supported-versions/) and [product support lifecycle](https://www.suse.com/lifecycle/).",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/rancher/rancher"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.7.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.7.14"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/rancher/rancher"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.8.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.8.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/rancher/rancher/security/advisories/GHSA-64jq-m7rq-768h"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32196"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2023-32196"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/rancher/rancher"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-269" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-06-17T22:30:51Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-10-16T13:15:13Z"
  }
}