CVE-2013-2121 in Openstack
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in the create method in the Bookmarks controller in Foreman before 1.2.0-RC2 allows remote authenticated users with permissions to create bookmarks to execute arbitrary code via a controller name attribute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The CVE-2013-2121 vulnerability represents a critical server-side evaluation injection flaw discovered in the Foreman systems management platform prior to version 1.2.0-RC2. This vulnerability resides within the Bookmarks controller's create method, specifically targeting the handling of controller name attributes during bookmark creation processes. The flaw enables authenticated attackers with appropriate permissions to manipulate the application's execution flow through malicious input, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic insecure deserialization or code evaluation pattern where user-supplied input is directly processed without adequate sanitization or validation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Foreman application's bookmark creation functionality. When users with sufficient privileges attempt to create bookmarks, the system accepts controller name attributes that are subsequently evaluated without proper sanitization measures. This creates an environment where malicious input can be interpreted as executable code rather than simple data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the Ruby on Rails framework components that handle bookmark management, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to leverage legitimate administrative privileges for malicious purposes. The flaw aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and sanitization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Foreman for system management and orchestration. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary commands on the Foreman server, potentially gaining access to sensitive system information, escalating privileges, or compromising the entire management infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the threat level given that Foreman is typically deployed in environments where administrative access is limited to authorized personnel. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical infrastructure management functions. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078.004 for valid accounts, demonstrating how legitimate administrative access can be weaponized through code injection.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Foreman version 1.2.0-RC2 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of Foreman servers to untrusted networks. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of bookmark creation activities and establish strict input validation policies for all user-supplied data. The vulnerability highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where users should only receive the minimum permissions necessary to perform their duties. Security teams should also conduct regular code reviews focusing on input handling and evaluation mechanisms, particularly in frameworks that process user data through dynamic code execution paths. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar patterns in other applications and prevent analogous weaknesses from being introduced in future development cycles.