CVE-2016-3097 in Satellite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in spacewalk-java in Red Hat Satellite 5.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a group name, related to viewing snapshot data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The CVE-2016-3097 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the spacewalk-java component of Red Hat Satellite 5.7, a widely deployed systems management platform. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of group names when displaying snapshot data, creating a persistent vector for malicious code injection that can affect numerous enterprise environments relying on Red Hat Satellite for system monitoring and management. The flaw exists in the web application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied group names are not properly sanitized before being rendered in HTML output contexts. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious group names containing script tags or other HTML elements that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire management infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate output encoding and input validation within the snapshot viewing functionality of the Red Hat Satellite platform. When administrators or users view snapshot data associated with groups, the system processes group names without proper sanitization, creating an XSS attack surface where malicious payloads can be executed in the victim's browser context. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper handling of user input in web applications can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because Red Hat Satellite is commonly used in enterprise environments where administrators have elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizational security posture.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3097 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration from the management platform. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that capture administrator credentials, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the management interface to perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as it affects the core functionality of snapshot viewing, which is frequently used in system monitoring and reporting scenarios. This creates a high-risk environment where attackers can maintain long-term access and execute commands through the compromised management interface, potentially affecting thousands of managed systems within the satellite's scope.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3097 should prioritize immediate patching of Red Hat Satellite 5.7 systems with the vendor-provided security updates, as this vulnerability was addressed through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS payloads, regular security scanning of the management interface, and comprehensive input validation for all user-supplied data. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper output encoding practices should be enforced across all web applications within the satellite environment. Security teams should also conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in related systems and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how XSS vulnerabilities can be leveraged for persistent access and privilege escalation within enterprise environments.