CVE-2026-0980 in rubyipmi
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2026
A flaw was found in rubyipmi, a gem used in the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) component of Red Hat Satellite. An authenticated attacker with host creation or update permissions could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious username for the BMC interface. This could lead to remote code execution (RCE) on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-0980 resides within rubyipmi, a ruby gem that serves as a critical component in the Baseboard Management Controller functionality of Red Hat Satellite systems. This gem operates as an interface for managing BMC hardware components, which are essential for out-of-band system management and monitoring. The flaw manifests in the improper handling of user input during BMC interface operations, creating a dangerous condition where authenticated users can manipulate system behavior through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where BMC management is enabled and where rubyipmi is utilized for interface communication, making it particularly relevant in enterprise environments that rely on Red Hat Satellite for system management and monitoring.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the BMC username parameter processing. When an authenticated attacker with host creation or update permissions submits a maliciously crafted username to the BMC interface, the rubyipmi gem fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before processing it within the system. This inadequate input handling creates a path for code injection, where the malicious username can contain specially crafted sequences that, when processed by the BMC interface, execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw, which aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing weaknesses in input validation that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires authentication and specific permissions, but once exploited, the impact extends beyond the immediate BMC interface to potentially compromise the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly within enterprise infrastructure environments where Red Hat Satellite manages critical system components. Remote code execution capabilities mean that an attacker who has gained host creation or update privileges can effectively take control of the BMC system and potentially the entire managed infrastructure. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to persistent access within the network, as BMC systems typically maintain elevated privileges and access to system-level functions. The exploitation could result in data exfiltration, system compromise, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within the network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) categories, as it leverages authenticated access to execute commands and potentially maintain persistence through compromised BMC credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-0980 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the input validation flaw in rubyipmi. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and privilege management, ensuring that only authorized personnel have host creation or update permissions within Red Hat Satellite environments. Network segmentation and monitoring of BMC traffic can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing input sanitization measures at multiple layers, including application-level validation and web application firewalls, can provide defense-in-depth protection. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on BMC interfaces, as these systems often represent overlooked attack surfaces. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices, particularly input validation and sanitization, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that proper security controls should be implemented throughout the software development lifecycle rather than as afterthoughts.