CVE-2016-6319 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in app/helpers/form_helper.rb in Foreman before 1.12.2, as used by Remote Execution and possibly other plugins, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the label parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The CVE-2016-6319 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Foreman system management platform prior to version 1.12.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the app/helpers/form_helper.rb component and manifests through the label parameter handling within the Remote Execution plugin and potentially other Foreman plugins. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads in the label parameter that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when the affected page is rendered.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the form helper functionality where the label parameter is processed without adequate sanitization measures. When Foreman renders forms containing user-provided label values, the application fails to implement proper output encoding or escaping techniques that would prevent malicious scripts from executing. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user input should never be trusted and must be properly escaped or encoded before being rendered in HTML contexts, a fundamental security principle in web application development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the browsers of authenticated users who interact with affected Foreman instances. This capability allows attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the Remote Execution plugin specifically but may extend to other Foreman plugins that utilize similar form helper patterns, potentially compromising a broader attack surface. Given that Foreman is commonly used for system management and automation tasks, successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to critical infrastructure management functions.
Organizations utilizing Foreman systems should immediately apply the patch released in version 1.12.2 which addresses this vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. The mitigation strategy should include implementing comprehensive input validation for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in form rendering contexts. Security measures should align with ATT&CK framework tactics related to initial access and persistence by preventing malicious script execution through web interfaces. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their Foreman installations, implement web application firewalls where possible, and establish proper input sanitization procedures across all application components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.