CVE-2016-8613 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in foreman 1.5.1. The remote execution plugin runs commands on hosts over SSH from the Foreman web UI. When a job is submitted that contains HTML tags, the console output shown in the web UI does not escape the output causing any HTML or JavaScript to run in the user's browser. The output of the job is stored, making this a stored XSS vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8613 resides within the Foreman 1.5.1 remote execution plugin, representing a critical security flaw that enables cross-site scripting attacks through improper output handling. This issue specifically affects the web-based user interface of Foreman, which serves as a systems management platform for automating administrative tasks across distributed environments. The remote execution functionality allows administrators to execute commands on remote hosts through secure shell connections, making it a core component for system automation and management operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper sanitization of console output generated by remote execution jobs. When users submit jobs containing HTML tags or JavaScript code through the Foreman web interface, the system fails to properly escape or sanitize this output before displaying it in the browser console. This omission creates a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability where malicious payloads embedded in job outputs can be executed within the context of the authenticated user's browser session. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious content is persisted in the system's database and subsequently rendered whenever users view the job output, rather than requiring immediate interaction with a crafted URL or form submission.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the Foreman environment. An attacker with access to submit remote execution jobs could inject malicious JavaScript that captures session cookies, redirects users to malicious sites, or performs unauthorized actions within the Foreman interface. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Foreman serves as a central management platform for critical infrastructure, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the systems management environment. The vulnerability affects any user with permissions to submit remote execution jobs, potentially including developers, system administrators, or other authorized personnel who interact with the Foreman web interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper output sanitization and input validation mechanisms within the Foreman application. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to versions that address this XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing content security policies and output encoding for all user-provided content in web interfaces helps prevent similar issues. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while establishing strict access controls and monitoring for unauthorized job submissions. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the systems management infrastructure.