CVE-2012-1145 in Network Satellite
Summary
by MITRE
spacewalk-backend in Red Hat Network Satellite 5.4 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 does not properly authorize or authenticate uploads to the NULL organization when mod_wsgi is used, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (/var partition disk consumption and failed updates) via a large number of package uploads.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1145 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Red Hat Network Satellite 5.4 system that operates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6. This issue specifically affects the spacewalk-backend component when deployed using the mod_wsgi web server interface. The flaw stems from improper authentication and authorization mechanisms that fail to properly validate upload requests to the NULL organization, which serves as a default or fallback organizational unit within the satellite system. This misconfiguration creates an exploitable pathway where unauthorized entities can bypass normal access controls and submit package uploads without proper credentials or permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the mod_wsgi module's interaction with the satellite backend services, where the authentication pipeline fails to adequately verify the identity and authorization status of upload requests. When the NULL organization is targeted, the system does not enforce proper access controls that would normally restrict package uploads to authorized users or organizations. This allows attackers to submit multiple package uploads that consume significant disk space in the /var partition, which typically houses log files, temporary data, and package repositories. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, creating a comprehensive denial of service scenario that affects system availability and integrity. Attackers can consume disk space in the /var partition through repeated package upload attempts, leading to system instability and failed update operations. This disruption can cascade into broader service outages as the system becomes unable to process legitimate package management tasks or maintain proper operational status. The vulnerability affects the core package management functionality of the satellite system, potentially compromising the ability of administrators to maintain and update their enterprise systems effectively. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where system reliability and update management are critical for security and operational continuity.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. This weakness specifically manifests in the authentication bypass scenario where the system fails to properly validate user credentials or organizational permissions before allowing package upload operations. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves network denial of service attacks that consume system resources. The attack vector involves remote exploitation through the web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or legitimate credentials. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to the satellite backend services, implementing proper access controls for the NULL organization, and monitoring for unusual upload patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular system updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to address such authorization flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.