H3-2025-0047
Puppet Node Manager Authorization Bypass
| Category | VULNERABILITY |
| Base Score | 6.5 |
Description
The Puppet Node Manager has been found to be vulnerable to an unauthorized access issue that arises from misconfigured access control mechanisms. In this scenario, the application fails to enforce proper authentication on its endpoints, notably when accessing node management functionalities. Attackers are able to request the base URL and receive a response containing the HTML snippet Nodes, which confirms that the node management interface is accessible without proper authorization. This vulnerability highlights a common security misconfiguration where developers assume that certain endpoints are protected by obscurity rather than robust access control checks. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to retrieve sensitive data about system nodes, configuration details, and potentially manipulate node settings within the environment. The risk is compounded by the fact that node management systems are often integral to the infrastructure, and unauthorized modifications or data disclosure could lead to further exploitation, such as lateral movement, escalation of privileges, or even remote code execution in poorly segmented networks. The issue mainly arises due to inadequate security checks in the HTTP request processing, which does not verify the user's identity or permissions before allowing access to sensitive operations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder for organizations to adopt best practices in application security, including regular audits, proper configuration management, and implementation of strict authentication and authorization protocols.
Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to node management functionalities. This could result in the disclosure of sensitive configuration details, manipulation of system nodes, and potentially further exploitation of internal systems, leading to broader security breaches.