CVE-2010-1171 in Network Satellite
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat Network (RHN) Satellite 5.3 and 5.4 exposes a dangerous, obsolete XML-RPC API, which allows remote authenticated users to access arbitrary files and cause a denial of service (failed yum operations) via vectors related to configuration and package group (comps.xml) files for channels.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1171 affects Red Hat Network Satellite versions 5.3 and 5.4, representing a critical security flaw in the XML-RPC API implementation that exposes sensitive system resources to authenticated attackers. This issue stems from improper access controls within the satellite's remote procedure call interface, which was designed to facilitate system management and configuration but inadvertently created pathways for unauthorized file access. The vulnerability specifically targets the configuration and package group components of channel management, where the XML-RPC API fails to properly validate user requests before processing file operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated XML-RPC requests that manipulate the comps.xml file handling mechanisms within the satellite system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access arbitrary files on the system by crafting malicious API calls that bypass normal access controls and directory traversal restrictions. The vulnerability operates by exploiting weaknesses in the input validation process where the satellite system does not adequately sanitize or verify the parameters passed to the XML-RPC methods responsible for handling channel configuration files. This allows an authenticated user with minimal privileges to escalate their access and retrieve sensitive system files that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1171 extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential system disruption through denial of service conditions. When attackers exploit this vulnerability, they can cause failed yum operations that effectively disable package management functionality within the satellite environment, leading to complete operational paralysis of system update and maintenance capabilities. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of channel management where package groups and configuration files are processed, resulting in cascading failures throughout the system's package distribution mechanisms. Organizations relying on Red Hat Satellite for system management face significant operational risks including complete service interruption and potential data exposure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-352, which addresses cross-site request forgery, demonstrating how inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms create exploitable conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and script injection, as attackers can leverage legitimate authenticated sessions to execute malicious operations within the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires only authentication, making it accessible to any user with valid credentials within the satellite environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1171 should focus on immediate patch deployment to address the XML-RPC API access control flaws, followed by comprehensive audit of all XML-RPC endpoints for similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement strict input validation and parameter sanitization for all API calls, particularly those involving file operations and directory traversal. Network segmentation and access control lists should be implemented to limit XML-RPC API exposure, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous API usage patterns. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to patched versions of Red Hat Satellite, implementing proper access controls for XML-RPC methods, and conducting thorough security reviews of all remote procedure call interfaces within the system. Regular security assessments should be performed to identify and address similar access control vulnerabilities in other system components.