CVE-2014-0204: Keystone Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
Summary
CVE-2014-0204: OpenStack Identity Keystone Improper Privilege Management. Affects keystone versions < 8.0.0a0. Fixed in 8.0.0a0. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- keystone · Debian:11
The same CVE-2014-0204 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
OpenStack Identity, commonly known as Keystone, is a crucial component of the OpenStack cloud computing platform. It provides identity services for authentication and authorization, enabling users to manage access to various resources within the OpenStack ecosystem. Keystone allows for role-based access control, where roles can be assigned to users and groups to define their permissions. However, a flaw in its privilege management system can lead to unauthorized access.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0204 arises from improper handling of role assignments in Keystone. Specifically, when a role is assigned to a group that shares the same ID as a user, it can lead to a situation where remote authenticated users gain unintended privileges. This flaw can be exploited by malicious users to escalate their access rights, potentially compromising sensitive data and operations within the OpenStack environment.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 30.0.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "keystone==30.0.0"
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
8.0.0a0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "keystone==8.0.0a0"
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, it is advisable to avoid assigning roles to groups that have the same ID as any user. This can help mitigate the risk of privilege escalation until the package can be updated to a secure version.
Conclusion
CVE-2014-0204 represents a significant security concern for users of OpenStack Identity (Keystone). By understanding the nature of this vulnerability and taking appropriate action, such as upgrading to the latest version or implementing workarounds, users can protect their systems from potential exploitation.
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FAQ
CVE-2014-0204 is a vulnerability in OpenStack Identity (Keystone) that allows remote authenticated users to gain unauthorized privileges due to improper role management.
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Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to resources and data, allowing attackers to perform actions they should not be permitted to.
Yes, the vulnerability has been patched in Keystone version 8.0.0a0 and later. It is recommended to upgrade to this version to mitigate the risk.
If an immediate upgrade is not possible, avoid assigning roles to groups that share the same ID as users to reduce the risk of privilege escalation.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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