CVE-2024-58269 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-532 (Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File) affecting SUSE Rancher's Rancher Manager product. The flaw involves the inadvertent logging of sensitive information including secret data, cluster import URLs, and registration tokens within audit logs. These logs are accessible to any entity with permissions to view Rancher audit logs, potentially exposing critical credentials and cluster configuration details. The vulnerability does not impact the integrity or availability of the system but compromises confidentiality by leaking sensitive information. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack can be performed remotely with low attack complexity, requires privileges, no user interaction, and results in limited confidentiality impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization or filtering of sensitive data before logging, a common issue in secure software development. Given Rancher's role as a Kubernetes management platform widely used in cloud-native environments, exposure of such sensitive data could facilitate further attacks such as unauthorized cluster access or lateral movement within environments. The absence of patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate compensating controls to protect audit logs and restrict access to authorized personnel only.

For European organizations, the exposure of sensitive Rancher audit logs can lead to unauthorized disclosure of cluster secrets and registration tokens, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to Kubernetes clusters. This can compromise confidentiality and may lead to further exploitation such as data exfiltration, deployment of malicious workloads, or disruption of services. Organizations heavily reliant on Rancher for container orchestration and management, especially those handling sensitive or regulated data, face increased risk of compliance violations and reputational damage. The medium severity rating reflects that while the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can be a stepping stone for more severe attacks. Given the increasing adoption of Kubernetes and Rancher in European enterprises, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, the impact could be significant if logs are not properly secured. Additionally, the vulnerability could undermine trust in cloud-native management platforms if exploited.

To mitigate CVE-2024-58269, European organizations should immediately audit and restrict access to Rancher audit logs to only trusted and authorized personnel. Implement strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and enforce the principle of least privilege for log access. Encrypt audit logs both at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized interception or reading. Monitor access logs for unusual or unauthorized access patterns to audit logs. Until a vendor patch is released, consider disabling or limiting logging of sensitive information if configurable. Review and sanitize any logs containing sensitive data before storage or sharing. Incorporate secure logging practices in DevOps workflows, ensuring sensitive data is never logged in plaintext. Stay updated with SUSE’s security advisories and apply patches promptly once available. Additionally, conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on Kubernetes and Rancher environments to detect potential exposure.