CVE-2012-5648 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Foreman before 1.0.2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified parameters to (1) app/models/hostext/search.rb or (2) app/models/puppetclass.rb, related to the search mechanism.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5648 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the Foreman systems management platform prior to version 1.0.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the search functionality mechanisms within the application's core components, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors to gain unauthorized access to underlying database systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the search parameter handling logic, allowing malicious users to inject arbitrary SQL commands through unspecified parameters in the hostext/search.rb and puppetclass.rb model files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input within the search functionality of Foreman's web application. When users perform searches through the interface, the application processes these search parameters and incorporates them directly into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, specifically manifesting as an improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The vulnerability affects the search mechanisms in two critical model files: app/models/hostext/search.rb which handles host extension searches and app/models/puppetclass.rb which manages puppet class searches, both of which are fundamental components of Foreman's infrastructure management capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account. This could result in complete database compromise including data exfiltration, data modification, unauthorized access to system information, and potentially lateral movement within the network infrastructure managed by Foreman. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Foreman for system management and configuration management, as attackers could leverage this weakness to manipulate system configurations, access sensitive host information, or escalate privileges within the managed infrastructure. Attackers could also potentially use this vulnerability to bypass authentication mechanisms or gain access to additional systems within the organization's network that rely on the compromised Foreman environment.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Foreman version 1.0.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterization fixes for the affected search mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns can provide an additional layer of protection during the transition period. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive network monitoring to detect any potential exploitation attempts and review database access logs for signs of unauthorized SQL command execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, emphasizing the need for proper parameterized queries and input sanitization in all database interaction components. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.