CVE-2022-31098 is a vulnerability identified in Weaveworks' Weave GitOps, an open-source developer platform designed to simplify cloud-native application deployment without requiring Kubernetes expertise. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive information during logging processes. Specifically, when the cluster manager attempts to connect to the API server of a registered Kubernetes cluster and encounters a connection error, the client factory component dumps the entire cluster configuration, including service account tokens, into pod logs in plaintext. These logs reside on the management cluster's pods and, if external log storage is enabled, can also be exposed outside the cluster environment. An authenticated remote attacker with access to these logs can retrieve sensitive Kubernetes cluster configurations and service account tokens, which can be leveraged to gain unauthorized control over the registered Kubernetes clusters. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-532, indicating the insertion of sensitive information into log files. Exploitation requires authentication to access the Weave GitOps environment or the external log storage where logs are retained. There is no known workaround for this vulnerability; however, it has been addressed in Weave GitOps core version v0.8.1-rc.6 and later. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to these versions to mitigate the risk. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date.

The potential impact of CVE-2022-31098 on European organizations is significant, particularly for those utilizing Weave GitOps to manage Kubernetes clusters. Exposure of cluster configurations and service account tokens compromises the confidentiality and integrity of Kubernetes environments, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate service accounts and execute unauthorized operations such as deploying malicious workloads, exfiltrating sensitive data, or disrupting cluster availability. Given the central role Kubernetes plays in cloud-native infrastructure, exploitation could lead to widespread operational disruption and data breaches. Organizations in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, face heightened risks due to potential regulatory non-compliance and reputational damage. The vulnerability's reliance on authentication reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with weak access controls or compromised credentials. Furthermore, if external log storage is enabled and inadequately secured, attackers could bypass authentication barriers entirely. The absence of a workaround underscores the urgency of patching. Overall, this vulnerability threatens the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Kubernetes-managed workloads within European enterprises relying on Weave GitOps.

To mitigate CVE-2022-31098, European organizations should: 1) Immediately upgrade Weave GitOps to version v0.8.1-rc.6 or later to apply the official fix. 2) Audit and restrict access to Weave GitOps pods and any external log storage systems to ensure only authorized personnel can view logs, employing strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and network segmentation. 3) Review and harden authentication mechanisms for Weave GitOps, including enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and rotating credentials regularly to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4) Implement log management best practices by encrypting logs at rest and in transit, and by limiting the retention period of sensitive logs to minimize exposure. 5) Monitor logs and audit trails for unusual access patterns or attempts to retrieve sensitive configuration data. 6) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on Kubernetes management platforms to detect similar misconfigurations or vulnerabilities. 7) Educate DevOps and security teams about the risks of logging sensitive information and encourage secure coding and configuration practices to prevent future occurrences.