CVE-2019-3893 in Foreman
Summary
by MITRE
In Foreman it was discovered that the delete compute resource operation, when executed from the Foreman API, leads to the disclosure of the plaintext password or token for the affected compute resource. A malicious user with the "delete_compute_resource" permission can use this flaw to take control over compute resources managed by foreman. Versions before 1.20.3, 1.21.1, 1.22.0 are vulnerable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3893 represents a critical security flaw within the Foreman management platform that exposes sensitive authentication credentials during routine operations. This issue specifically affects the delete compute resource functionality when invoked through the Foreman API, creating an unexpected information disclosure channel that undermines the security posture of managed compute environments. The flaw exists in versions prior to 1.20.3, 1.21.1, and 1.22.0, indicating a widespread vulnerability across multiple release branches that required immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for infrastructure management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the API response when processing delete operations for compute resources. When a user with the appropriate permissions executes the delete compute resource operation, the system inadvertently includes the plaintext password or token in the API response, effectively leaking sensitive authentication information to unauthorized parties. This represents a direct violation of secure coding principles where sensitive data should never be exposed through API responses, particularly during destructive operations that require elevated privileges. The vulnerability manifests as a classic information disclosure flaw that aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential leakage, as it provides attackers with the means to assume control over compute resources managed by Foreman. An attacker with the "delete_compute_resource" permission can leverage this flaw to obtain authentication credentials for cloud providers, hypervisors, or other managed infrastructure components, potentially enabling them to perform unauthorized operations, access sensitive data, or compromise the entire compute environment. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Foreman for infrastructure management, as the vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor for privilege escalation and lateral movement within their IT infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only a specific permission level rather than full administrative access, making it accessible to users with limited privileges who should not have access to sensitive credential information.
The security implications of CVE-2019-3893 align with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Credentials In Files" and demonstrates how information disclosure vulnerabilities can lead to credential compromise. Organizations using Foreman should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions, implementing strict API access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized delete operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in API implementations, particularly when dealing with sensitive operations that involve authentication credentials. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for API activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the credential leakage could occur without obvious signs of compromise. The incident underscores the critical need for regular security assessments of management platforms and the implementation of principle of least privilege access controls to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.