CVE-2016-5390 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
Foreman before 1.11.4 and 1.12.x before 1.12.1 allow remote authenticated users with the view_hosts permission containing a filter to obtain sensitive network interface information via a request to API routes beneath "hosts," as demonstrated by a GET request to api/v2/hosts/secrethost/interfaces.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-5390 affects Foreman versions prior to 1.11.4 and 1.12.x versions before 1.12.1, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security controls of this systems management platform. This issue specifically targets the API endpoint handling for host network interface information, where authenticated users with the view_hosts permission can exploit a filtering mechanism to access sensitive network data that should otherwise remain restricted. The vulnerability exists within the API route structure under the hosts namespace, specifically allowing attackers to retrieve detailed network interface information through direct API calls to endpoints such as api/v2/hosts/secrethost/interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control validation within the Foreman API framework. When users with view_hosts permission make requests to API routes beneath the hosts endpoint, the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks on the specific data being requested. This allows attackers to bypass normal permission boundaries and extract network interface details including IP addresses, MAC addresses, and other sensitive network configuration information that should be protected from unauthorized access. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the API layer where authentication is already established, meaning that any user with legitimate view_hosts permissions can potentially abuse this functionality to gather intelligence about network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked network interface information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the collected data to map network topology, identify active hosts, and potentially discover vulnerable network services or misconfigurations. This intelligence gathering capability aligns with tactics described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance phase, where adversaries seek to understand target network environments. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement within the application's authorization model. Organizations using Foreman for systems management may find their network infrastructure visibility compromised, potentially enabling attackers to plan more targeted attacks against their managed hosts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5390 require immediate patching of affected Foreman installations to versions 1.11.4 or 1.12.1 and later, which address the improper access control validation in API endpoint handling. System administrators should also review and tighten the permissions associated with the view_hosts role, ensuring that users with this capability are not granted unnecessary access to network interface information. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and API access logging can help detect anomalous requests to host interface endpoints, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing additional access controls at the network level to restrict API endpoint access based on user roles and the specific data being requested. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authorization checking at all API endpoints, particularly those handling sensitive system information, and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of API frameworks in enterprise management systems.