CVE-2014-0057 in CloudForms 3.0 Management Engine
Summary
by MITRE
The x_button method in the ServiceController (vmdb/app/controllers/service_controller.rb) in Red Hat CloudForms 3.0 Management Engine 5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary methods via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0057 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Red Hat CloudForms 3.0 Management Engine version 5.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the x_button method implementation within the ServiceController class located at vmdb/app/controllers/service_controller.rb. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate method invocation parameters and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The affected component serves as a core controller within the CloudForms management interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the entire management infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the x_button method, which processes button click events and associated actions within the service management workflow. When attackers craft specially crafted requests containing malicious method names or parameters, the system fails to properly validate these inputs before executing the requested operations. This creates a path for attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute unauthorized method calls that could include system commands, file operations, or database queries. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the method could be exploited, potentially allowing for various forms of malicious input manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized code execution, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges and persistent access to the CloudForms management engine. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate service definitions, access sensitive configuration data, modify user permissions, or even escalate their privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability affects the core management capabilities of CloudForms, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire cloud infrastructure management platform. Organizations relying on this management engine for service orchestration, provisioning, and monitoring would face significant operational risks, including potential data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to cloud resources managed through the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0057 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Red Hat CloudForms 3.0 Management Engine version 5.2, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the management interface and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable x_button method. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened through mandatory authentication, role-based access restrictions, and regular audit of user activities within the management interface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and command execution categories, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web application controllers and highlights the risks associated with dynamic method invocation patterns in enterprise management systems. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their management interfaces and implement proper security testing practices including dynamic application security testing and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their infrastructure. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes become essential for maintaining the security posture of complex management platforms like CloudForms that handle sensitive operational data and control critical infrastructure components.