CVE-2018-14643 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
An authentication bypass flaw was found in the smart_proxy_dynflow component used by Foreman. A malicious attacker can use this flaw to remotely execute arbitrary commands on machines managed by vulnerable Foreman instances, in a highly privileged context.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14643 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the smart_proxy_dynflow component of the Foreman management platform. This component serves as a crucial integration point for dynamic workflow execution and remote management capabilities within Foreman's architecture. The flaw specifically affects versions of Foreman that utilize this proxy component for handling dynamic job execution, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these management systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication checks that allow unauthorized access to privileged execution paths within the system.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a failure in the authentication validation process within the smart_proxy_dynflow module. When the system processes dynamic workflow requests, it fails to properly verify the authenticity of incoming requests before executing privileged operations. This authentication bypass enables an attacker to craft specially formatted requests that circumvent the normal authorization mechanisms, gaining access to the underlying system execution capabilities. The flaw specifically impacts the component responsible for handling remote command execution tasks, allowing attackers to escalate their privileges to the highest levels available within the Foreman management environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond a simple security breach, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary commands on managed systems with elevated privileges. This capability allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to install malware, exfiltrate data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for distributed management environments. Organizations using vulnerable Foreman instances face the risk of complete infrastructure compromise, especially in environments where Foreman manages critical network devices and servers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14643 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Foreman installations to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. The implementation of additional authentication layers and monitoring systems can help detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected smart_proxy_dynflow component and ensure proper configuration of authentication mechanisms. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, while ATT&CK framework references this as a privilege escalation technique through authentication bypass methods. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the remediation measures are effective and that no other authentication bypass vulnerabilities exist within the Foreman ecosystem.