CVE-2022-2805 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting ovirt-engine version 4.5.3, a management platform for virtualization environments. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of sensitive information during logging when using the otapi-style interface. Specifically, plaintext passwords are recorded in log files, violating secure logging practices and exposing sensitive credentials. An attacker with sufficient privileges to access these log files can read the plaintext passwords, resulting in a confidentiality breach. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information), indicating that sensitive data is stored or transmitted in an insecure manner. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5 reflects a network attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and resulting in high confidentiality impact without affecting integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches are linked in the provided data. The flaw is significant because ovirt-engine is often deployed in enterprise virtualization infrastructures, where credential confidentiality is critical to maintaining secure operations and preventing lateral movement by attackers.

For European organizations using ovirt-engine 4.5.3, this vulnerability poses a risk of credential exposure if an attacker gains access to the system with privileges sufficient to read log files. Such exposure can lead to unauthorized access to virtualization management interfaces, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate virtual machines, access sensitive data, or disrupt services. The confidentiality loss could cascade into broader security incidents, especially in regulated sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, where data protection is paramount. Given the centralized role of ovirt-engine in managing virtualized environments, compromised credentials could facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks. This risk is heightened in environments where log file access controls are weak or where privileged accounts are shared or insufficiently segregated. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect integrity or availability, the indirect consequences of credential compromise can be severe, including data breaches and operational disruptions.

European organizations should immediately audit their ovirt-engine deployments to identify affected versions (notably 4.5.3). Until a vendor patch is available, organizations should implement strict access controls on log files to ensure only trusted administrators can read them, minimizing the risk of credential exposure. Additionally, organizations should consider rotating any passwords that may have been logged in plaintext to invalidate potentially compromised credentials. Monitoring and alerting on unusual access to log files or ovirt-engine management interfaces can help detect exploitation attempts. Where possible, upgrading to a fixed version of ovirt-engine or applying vendor-provided patches should be prioritized once available. Implementing centralized secure logging solutions that redact or encrypt sensitive information before storage can further reduce risk. Finally, enforcing the principle of least privilege for users accessing ovirt-engine and its logs will limit the attack surface.