CVE-2015-1844 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
Foreman before 1.7.5 allows remote authenticated users to bypass organization and location restrictions by connecting through the REST API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1844 affects Foreman versions prior to 1.7.5 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of organizations relying on this configuration management platform. This issue specifically targets the REST API component of Foreman, which serves as a critical interface for programmatic access to system configurations and resource management. The vulnerability arises from inadequate authorization checks within the API layer, allowing authenticated users to circumvent established organizational and location-based access controls that are fundamental to maintaining security boundaries within enterprise environments.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of user permissions when processing API requests. When authenticated users make requests through the REST API, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has adequate privileges to access specific organizational or location resources. This oversight creates a path for privilege escalation where users can potentially access configurations, systems, or data belonging to different organizations or locations within the same Foreman instance. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the API level, meaning that malicious actors who have obtained legitimate credentials can exploit this flaw without requiring additional authentication mechanisms or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the principle of least privilege that organizations depend on for security isolation. In enterprise environments where multiple organizations or locations are managed within a single Foreman instance, this flaw allows users to access sensitive information belonging to other entities, potentially leading to data breaches, compliance violations, and unauthorized system modifications. The implications are especially severe in multi-tenant deployments where strict isolation between different organizational units is essential for maintaining security boundaries and regulatory compliance requirements.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released with Foreman version 1.7.5, which addresses the authorization bypass through enhanced API request validation and proper enforcement of organizational and location restrictions. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their Foreman deployments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and review access logs for suspicious API activity. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing additional monitoring controls around API access patterns and establishing automated alerts for unauthorized cross-organizational resource access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a significant concern for organizations following ATT&CK framework tactics related to privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments.