CVE-2014-3531 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Foreman before 1.5.2 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the operating system (1) name or (2) description.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3531 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Foreman systems management platform prior to version 1.5.2. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of the platform where users can define and manage operating system configurations through name and description fields. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web interface, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the system's web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of user-supplied data within the operating system management components of Foreman. When administrators or users input data into the name or description fields for operating systems, the application fails to adequately sanitize this input before rendering it in the web interface. This lack of proper input validation creates a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by authenticated users who possess sufficient privileges to modify operating system records. The vulnerability specifically targets the web application layer where user input is directly embedded into HTML output without appropriate encoding or filtering mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Foreman for system management. An authenticated attacker with access to the platform can execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized system access. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised environment. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor must already have legitimate access to the system, but this still represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Foreman version 1.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, administrators should review and enforce strict input validation policies, implement proper output encoding for all user-supplied data, and consider implementing content security policies to limit the impact of potential XSS attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution through web interfaces. Security monitoring should focus on unusual modifications to operating system records, particularly in the name and description fields, as potential indicators of exploitation attempts.
The remediation process requires comprehensive testing of the patched version to ensure that all XSS vectors have been properly addressed while maintaining existing functionality. Organizations should also conduct thorough security reviews of their Foreman configurations and implement regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other management platforms. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of input validation and output sanitization to protect against persistent threats in enterprise management systems.