CVE-2019-10198 in foreman-tasks
Summary
by MITRE
An authentication bypass vulnerability was discovered in foreman-tasks before 0.15.7. Previously, commit tasks were searched through find_resource, which performed authorization checks. After the change to Foreman, an unauthenticated user can view the details of a task through the web UI or API, if they can discover or guess the UUID of the task.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-10198 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the foreman-tasks component of the Foreman management platform. This issue affects versions prior to 0.15.7 and stems from a fundamental change in how task authorization is handled within the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the task management functionality that was previously protected by robust authorization mechanisms, creating a significant security gap that allows unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
The technical flaw manifests through a change in the commit task handling process where the system transitioned from using find_resource for authorization checks to a more permissive access model. This change effectively removed the necessary authentication barriers that previously prevented unauthorized users from accessing task details. The vulnerability operates on the principle that once a user can discover or guess a task's universally unique identifier, they gain complete access to that task's information through both the web interface and application programming interface. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization controls where the system assumes that knowledge of a resource identifier provides access to that resource.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential operational disruption and security compromise within managed environments. An unauthenticated attacker who can enumerate or guess task UUIDs can access detailed information about system operations, including task execution status, parameters, and potentially sensitive operational data. This access could enable further attacks by providing insights into system configurations, operational workflows, and potential attack vectors. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Foreman for infrastructure management where task details might contain sensitive operational information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1083 for file and directory discovery. The flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where access controls have been weakened to allow broader access than necessary. Organizations implementing Foreman or similar management platforms should consider this vulnerability in their security posture assessments, particularly in environments where task management information could be leveraged for privilege escalation or further reconnaissance. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to foreman-tasks version 0.15.7 or later, which restores proper authorization controls and ensures that access to task details requires valid authentication credentials rather than mere knowledge of resource identifiers.