CVE-2011-2920 in Spacewalk
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in Spacewalk and Red Hat Network Satellite. This cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability allows a remote attacker to inject arbitrary web script or HTML into web pages through various input fields, such as the "Filter by Synopsis" field. This could lead to the execution of malicious code in a user's web browser, potentially compromising user sessions or disclosing sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2920 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Spacewalk and Red Hat Network Satellite systems. This weakness resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically within the "Filter by Synopsis" field and other similar input parameters. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data before it is rendered in web pages, creating an opening for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, which directly maps to the core principle of preventing XSS attacks through proper input validation and output encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious content through the affected input fields, particularly the "Filter by Synopsis" functionality. When the application processes this input and displays it without proper sanitization, the injected script executes within the context of a victim's browser session. This presents a significant operational risk as the malicious code can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or extracting sensitive information from the authenticated user's browser. The attack vector is remote and requires no special privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the vulnerable application interface.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and potential privilege escalation within the affected systems. Users who authenticate to Spacewalk or Red Hat Network Satellite may have their sessions compromised, allowing attackers to perform actions with their privileges. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application's user data and can potentially serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing with malicious attachments, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through web-based interfaces.
Organizations utilizing Spacewalk or Red Hat Network Satellite systems should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls, as recommended by OWASP and NIST guidelines. The most effective approach involves implementing proper sanitization of all user-supplied input before rendering it in web responses, combined with the use of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of the affected software, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security training for administrators to recognize and respond to such threats effectively.