CVE-2017-7538 in Satellite
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw was found in how an organization name is displayed in Satellite 5, before 5.8. A user able to change an organization s name could exploit this flaw to perform XSS attacks against other Satellite users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7538 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Red Hat Satellite 5 before version 5.8. This weakness resides in the improper handling of organization names within the web interface, creating a persistent security gap that allows authenticated attackers with organization modification privileges to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface. The flaw specifically manifests when the system displays organization names without adequate input sanitization or output encoding, enabling attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a common weakness in web applications where user-provided data is not properly validated or escaped before being rendered in web pages. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only the ability to modify organization names, which in many enterprise environments may be accessible to users with relatively low-privilege accounts or through compromised credentials. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and output encoding, where the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. When other Satellite users view pages containing the malicious organization name, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the victim's machine. The attack requires minimal technical sophistication and can be particularly effective in enterprise environments where Satellite is used for system management and monitoring, as users often maintain elevated privileges within the system.
Organizations using Red Hat Satellite 5 should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided security patches that address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation for all user-supplied data, particularly in fields that are rendered in web interfaces, and implementation of proper output encoding techniques to prevent script injection. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, regular security scanning of web applications, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have only the permissions necessary to perform their legitimate functions while maintaining proper input validation across all application components. Organizations should also implement regular security training for administrators and developers to prevent similar issues in custom applications and to maintain awareness of common web application security vulnerabilities that align with ATT&CK framework techniques targeting web application exploitation.