CVE-2014-4507 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Smart-Proxy in Foreman before 1.4.5 and 1.5.x before 1.5.1 allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the dst parameter to tftp/fetch_boot_file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The CVE-2014-4507 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Smart-Proxy component of the Foreman infrastructure management platform. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.4.5 and 1.5.1, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Foreman for system management and provisioning. The flaw exists in the tftp/fetch_boot_file endpoint where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input, particularly the dst parameter that controls file destination paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and path validation mechanisms within the Smart-Proxy module. When remote attackers submit malicious input containing .. (dot dot) sequences in the dst parameter, the application processes these traversal sequences without proper restrictions, allowing attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially overwrite files in arbitrary locations on the target system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a common input validation flaw, and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through file manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers could leverage this flaw to replace critical system files, modify boot configurations, or inject malicious code into the TFTP service, potentially leading to complete system takeover. Organizations using Foreman for provisioning and management are particularly at risk since the vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate boot files that are essential for system initialization and network boot processes. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it especially dangerous for environments where TFTP services are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4507 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Foreman installations to versions 1.4.5 or 1.5.1, respectively. Network administrators should implement restrictive firewall rules to limit access to TFTP services and Smart-Proxy endpoints, particularly when these services are not essential for internal operations. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests, and conducting regular security assessments of the TFTP service configuration. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications and establish network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in system design, where applications should never trust external input and should always validate paths against expected directories to prevent directory traversal attacks.