CVE-2017-2667 in cli
Summary
by MITRE
Hammer CLI, a CLI utility for Foreman, before version 0.10.0, did not explicitly set the verify_ssl flag for apipie-bindings that disable it by default. As a result the server certificates are not checked and connections are prone to man-in-the-middle attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2667 affects Hammer CLI, a command-line interface utility used for managing Foreman, an open-source systems management tool. This flaw exists in versions prior to 010.0 and represents a critical security oversight that directly impacts the integrity of network communications between the client and server components. The vulnerability stems from the default behavior of the apipie-bindings library, which is utilized by Hammer CLI for API communication with Foreman servers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of SSL certificate verification within the Hammer CLI implementation. By default, the apipie-bindings library disables SSL certificate verification, meaning that the client does not validate the authenticity of server certificates during the connection process. This design choice creates a significant security gap where attackers can intercept communications between the Hammer CLI and Foreman servers without detection. The absence of explicit SSL verification configuration means that all connections are susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks, allowing malicious actors to potentially decrypt, modify, or redirect network traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Foreman environments that rely on Hammer CLI for administrative tasks. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive configuration data, administrative credentials, and potentially execute unauthorized operations within the managed systems. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the managed infrastructure, particularly when administrators use Hammer CLI to perform critical system management functions. Organizations utilizing Foreman for system provisioning, configuration management, and monitoring face increased risk of compromise when this vulnerability exists in their environment.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks. The lack of explicit SSL verification configuration represents a failure in secure coding practices and demonstrates the importance of explicit security parameter configuration in network communication libraries. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Hammer CLI version 010.0 or later, which properly implements SSL certificate verification. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level security controls such as firewall rules restricting access to Foreman servers, using VPN connections for CLI access, and monitoring for suspicious network activity. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of security testing and code review processes that should identify and address implicit security assumptions in third-party library usage.