Harvest May Expose OS Default SSH Login Password Via SUSE Virtualization Interactive Installer

QFinch assessment

Projects using the SUSE Virtualization (Harvester) environment are vulnerable to this exploit if they are using the 1.5.x or 1.6.x interactive installer to either create a new cluster or add new hosts to an existing cluster. The environment is not affected if the [PXE boot mechanism](https://docs.harvesterhci.io/v1.7/install/pxe-boot-install/) is utilized along with the [Harvester configuration](https://docs.harvesterhci. io/v1.7/install/harvester-configuration) setup.

Potential impact

Projects using the SUSE Virtualization (Harvester) environment are vulnerable to this exploit if they are using the 1.5.x or 1.6.x interactive installer to either create a new cluster or add new hosts to an existing cluster. The environment is not affected if the PXE boot mechanism is utilized along with the Harvester configuration setup. A critical vulnerability has been identified within the SUSE Virtualization interactive installer. This vulnerability allows an attacker to gain unauthorized network access to the host via a remote shell (SSH). The SUSE Virtualization operating system includes a default administrative login credential intended solely for out-of-band cluster management tasks (for example, perform troubleshooting, device management and system recovery over serial ports). When the interactive installer is used to create or expand a cluster, the installer enables the host's networking functions before the default password is reset. This presents a window of opportunity for an attacker to exploit the default password to gain unauthorized access to the host via SSH. Please consult the associated MITRE ATT&CK - Technique - Default Credentials for further information about this category of attack.