CVE-2016-2104 in Satellite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Red Hat Satellite 5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the label parameter to admin/BunchDetail.do; (2) the package_name, (3) search_subscribed_channels, or (4) channel_filter parameter to software/packages/NameOverview.do; or unspecified vectors related to (5) <input:hidden> or (6) <bean:message> tags.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The CVE-2016-2104 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Red Hat Satellite 5, a comprehensive systems management platform widely used in enterprise environments. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by remote malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative and software management interfaces of the Satellite 5 platform, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this system for critical infrastructure management.
The technical exploitation occurs through several distinct parameter injection points within the application's web interface. The primary attack vectors include the label parameter in the admin/BunchDetail.do endpoint, which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts when processing user-supplied data. Additionally, the software/packages/NameOverview.do endpoint contains multiple vulnerable parameters including package_name, search_subscribed_channels, and channel_filter, all of which can be manipulated to inject cross-site scripting payloads. The vulnerability also extends to hidden input fields and bean:message tags, indicating a broader issue with how the application handles dynamic content generation and user input processing throughout its interface components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it could enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive administrative credentials, or manipulate system configurations through the authenticated user context. Given that Red Hat Satellite 5 serves as a critical systems management platform, successful exploitation could compromise entire enterprise infrastructure management capabilities. Attackers could potentially access sensitive system information, modify package repositories, manipulate channel configurations, or execute unauthorized administrative actions that would otherwise require legitimate system access. The vulnerability's presence in multiple interface components suggests a systemic issue with the application's security architecture rather than isolated flaws, making it particularly concerning for large-scale deployments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation enforcement, output encoding for all user-supplied data, and comprehensive security testing of web interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving web application exploitation and credential access, potentially enabling lateral movement within compromised environments. The remediation approach should include immediate patching of the affected Red Hat Satellite 5 installations, implementation of web application firewalls, and comprehensive security auditing of all user-facing interfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system.