CVE-2012-2395 in Cobbler
Summary
by MITRE
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in action_power.py in Cobbler 2.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) username or (2) password fields to the power_system method in the xmlrpc API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The CVE-2012-2395 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Cobbler version 2.2.0 that demonstrates a classic incomplete input validation issue. This vulnerability specifically affects the action_power.py module within the Cobbler configuration management system, which is widely used for automating operating system installation and system provisioning tasks in enterprise environments. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user input parameters within the xmlrpc API interface, particularly in the power_system method that handles system power operations. The vulnerability occurs when attackers can manipulate the username or password fields through shell metacharacters, which then get processed without adequate filtering, leading to potential command injection attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or sanitization.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires remote attackers to leverage the xmlrpc API endpoints exposed by Cobbler, typically accessible over network ports such as 80 or 443. Attackers can construct malicious payloads containing shell metacharacters like semicolons, ampersands, or backticks in either the username or password fields when invoking the power_system method. When the Cobbler system processes these inputs, the incomplete blacklist validation allows these malicious characters to be interpreted by the underlying shell, potentially executing arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Cobbler service account. This creates a significant escalation path since Cobbler often runs with elevated privileges to perform system configuration tasks, making the impact of successful exploitation particularly severe. The vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the use of shell commands for execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2395 extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to gain full control over systems managed by Cobbler, potentially leading to complete network compromise. Organizations using Cobbler for system provisioning are at risk of unauthorized access to their infrastructure, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical services. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to systems or insider knowledge of the internal network structure. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where Cobbler interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks or where proper network segmentation has not been implemented. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the principle of least privilege, as it allows attackers to execute commands that should normally be restricted to authorized administrators only.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Cobbler versions that address this specific flaw, typically versions 2.2.1 or later. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit access to Cobbler's xmlrpc API endpoints, and authentication mechanisms should be strengthened with multi-factor authentication where possible. Input validation should be enhanced to implement allowlists rather than blacklists for critical fields, ensuring that only expected characters are processed. Additionally, monitoring and logging of xmlrpc API calls should be implemented to detect anomalous usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and the dangers of relying solely on blacklist validation methods, which can be easily bypassed by attackers familiar with shell metacharacter syntax. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their configuration management systems to identify similar vulnerabilities that could be exploited through different attack vectors.