CVE-2012-5477 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
The smart proxy in Foreman before 1.1 uses a umask set to 0, which allows local users to modify files created by the daemon via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5477 resides within the smart proxy component of Foreman, a systems management platform that serves as a centralized interface for managing large-scale infrastructure deployments. This issue affects Foreman versions prior to 1.1 and stems from a critical configuration flaw in the file permission handling mechanism. The smart proxy functionality is designed to facilitate communication between Foreman and managed systems, acting as an intermediary that processes and forwards various management requests. When the smart proxy daemon operates with a umask value of 0, it creates files with overly permissive access controls, effectively allowing any local user on the system to gain unauthorized access to these files.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper implementation of file creation permissions within the daemon process. A umask of 0 means that no permission bits are masked out during file creation, resulting in files being created with full read, write, and execute permissions for all users. This configuration creates a significant attack surface where local users can exploit unspecified vectors to manipulate files generated by the daemon process. The unspecified vectors likely include scenarios such as file overwrite attacks, privilege escalation opportunities, or manipulation of configuration files that influence the daemon's behavior. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permission assignment, and represents a classic case of insecure default configurations that can be exploited by malicious local users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access violations and can potentially compromise the entire Foreman management infrastructure. Local attackers who can execute code on the system can leverage this weakness to modify critical files used by the smart proxy daemon, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data corruption, or even complete system compromise. The daemon's operation relies on maintaining the integrity of its configuration and operational files, and any unauthorized modification can result in unexpected behavior, denial of service, or unauthorized access to managed systems. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Foreman is used for critical infrastructure management, as it undermines the security posture of the entire system administration framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5477 should focus on immediate remediation through updating to Foreman version 1.1 or later, which addresses this specific umask configuration issue. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting local user access to the Foreman system, monitoring file creation patterns, and conducting regular permission audits of daemon-created files. The implementation of proper file permission controls and adherence to security best practices, including the principle of least privilege, can prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized file modifications and establish comprehensive security policies that address the configuration of system daemons and their file creation behaviors. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management and proper permission handling in enterprise systems management platforms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through insecure file permissions.