CVE-2013-4182 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
app/controllers/api/v1/hosts_controller.rb in Foreman before 1.2.2 does not properly restrict access to hosts, which allows remote attackers to access arbitrary hosts via an API request.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4182 resides within the Foreman configuration management platform, specifically in the API controller responsible for host management operations. This issue affects versions prior to 1.2.2 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Foreman for infrastructure orchestration. The vulnerability manifests in the app/controllers/api/v1/hosts_controller.rb file where proper authentication and authorization checks are inadequately implemented, creating a path for unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the API endpoint handling host-related requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious API requests that bypass normal authentication procedures, thereby gaining unauthorized visibility into host configurations, system details, and potentially sensitive operational data. This misconfiguration allows remote threat actors to enumerate and access arbitrary hosts within the managed infrastructure without proper credentials or authorization, effectively breaking down the security boundaries that should protect individual host records from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that could lead to more sophisticated attacks. Organizations using Foreman for managing large-scale infrastructure deployments face significant risks when this vulnerability exists, as attackers can discover host information including system configurations, network details, and potentially sensitive metadata. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all API interactions within enterprise systems. This flaw particularly impacts the integrity and confidentiality aspects of the CIA triad, as unauthorized access to host information can lead to further exploitation opportunities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4182 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch for Foreman version 1.2.2 and subsequent releases. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including network segmentation, API rate limiting, and enhanced monitoring of API access patterns to detect anomalous behavior. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, where attackers can leverage the initial unauthorized access to gather intelligence and potentially move laterally within the network. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their Foreman installations to ensure proper access controls are in place and regularly validate that authentication mechanisms function as intended. Additionally, implementing proper API gateway controls and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the infrastructure management stack.