CVE-2018-1097 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in foreman before 1.16.1. The issue allows users with limited permissions for powering oVirt/RHV hosts on and off to discover the username and password used to connect to the compute resource.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-1097 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Foreman management platform prior to version 1.16.1. This issue specifically affects organizations that utilize Foreman for managing oVirt and Red Hat Virtualization (RHV) environments, where the platform serves as a central management interface for virtualized infrastructure. The flaw resides in the permission handling mechanisms that govern access to compute resource credentials, creating an unintended information leakage channel that can be exploited by users with limited privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and credential handling within Foreman's integration with oVirt/RHV compute resources. When users possess limited permissions to power hosts on and off, they can exploit a design flaw that allows them to extract authentication credentials used to connect to the underlying compute infrastructure. This occurs through improper validation of user permissions and inadequate sanitization of credential information during operational requests. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue that enables unauthorized information disclosure, with the specific CWE mapping pointing to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which directly addresses insufficient access control mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations relying on Foreman for virtual infrastructure management. Attackers with minimal privileges can obtain administrative credentials for oVirt/RHV environments, potentially enabling them to escalate their access to full administrative control over the virtualized infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these credentials can be used to access other systems within the virtual environment, potentially leading to broader compromise of the organization's virtual infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as unauthorized users can discover sensitive authentication information that should remain protected within the system's secure credential management mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Foreman version 1.16.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper access control issue. System administrators should also review and tighten permission settings for compute resource access, ensuring that users with limited operational privileges cannot access credential information. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, where users are granted only the minimum permissions necessary for their specific roles. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to credential information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552: Unsecured Credentials, which focuses on the exploitation of improperly secured authentication information within systems. The remediation approach should include comprehensive security auditing of all integration points with virtualization platforms and implementation of proper credential management practices that align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control and system and information integrity.