CVE-2026-81668 in Satellite
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2026
A flaw was found in Katello where the Content View Filter Rules API does not properly enforce authorization on the parent Content View Filter. An authenticated, low-privileged user with Content View permissions in one organization may be able to access and modify filter rules belonging to a Content View Filter in another organization by supplying that filter's identifier. This can result in unauthorized disclosure of filter-rule information and unauthorized changes to unpublished Content View filter configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2026
The vulnerability identified in Katello represents a critical failure in the implementation of Role-Based Access Control within its Content Management subsystem, specifically targeting the API endpoints responsible for managing Content View Filter Rules. In enterprise environments utilizing Red Hat Satellite or similar content management platforms, organizations are often segmented to ensure strict isolation of data and configuration between different tenants or business units. The core technical flaw lies in the authorization logic applied when processing requests to create, read, update, or delete filter rules associated with a specific Content View Filter. Instead of validating that both the parent Content View Filter and its constituent rules belong to an organization for which the authenticated user possesses valid permissions, the system relies primarily on the identifier provided by the client-side request. This oversight allows an attacker who has successfully authenticated as a low-privileged user within one organizational context to bypass security boundaries simply by manipulating API parameters to reference resources located in a different organizational scope.
From a technical perspective, this issue is classified under CWE-284 Improper Access Control and more specifically aligns with CWE-639 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key. The vulnerability exploits the lack of server-side verification that ties the requested resource identifier to the user's assigned role and organizational context. When an authenticated session initiates a request, the application should verify not only that the user is logged in but also that they have explicit permission to interact with the specific entity identified by the provided key or ID. In this case, the API endpoint fails to perform this cross-referencing check against the database records associated with other organizations. Consequently, an attacker can supply a valid identifier for a Content View Filter rule belonging to another organization and successfully execute operations that should be restricted. This bypass mechanism is particularly dangerous because it does not require privilege escalation in terms of user roles; rather, it exploits a logical flaw in how existing permissions are applied to specific resource instances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage into the realm of configuration integrity and service availability within multi-tenant deployments. An attacker with low-level access can disclose sensitive information regarding filter rules from other organizations, potentially revealing details about software distribution strategies, package dependencies, or internal infrastructure configurations that are not intended for public or cross-org visibility. More critically, the ability to modify unpublished Content View filter configuration allows an adversary to alter how content is selected and packaged before it is published to clients. This could lead to the injection of malicious packages into a downstream organization's repository if the attacker can manipulate filters to include unauthorized software components. Alternatively, the attacker might disrupt service by removing critical package dependencies from a filter, causing deployment failures for systems relying on that Content View. In environments where organizations share infrastructure but maintain separate administrative boundaries, this breach undermines the fundamental promise of isolation and trust between tenants.
This behavior is also consistent with tactics observed in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under T1078 Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate credentials to perform unauthorized actions, and potentially T1496 Host Configuration Hijacking if the modifications affect system configuration data stored within the content views. The vulnerability highlights a common pitfall in web application development where developers assume that client-supplied identifiers are safe without rigorous server-side validation against access control lists or ownership records. To mitigate this risk, immediate action must be taken to patch Katello and its underlying Foreman components to versions that include fixes for this authorization bypass. Administrators should also audit their current deployment configurations to ensure no sensitive data has been exposed during the window of vulnerability. Furthermore, implementing strict input validation on all API endpoints that accept resource identifiers is essential. Security teams should enforce principle of least privilege by ensuring users have only the minimum necessary permissions and consider deploying Web Application Firewalls with rules designed to detect anomalous access patterns across organizational boundaries until patches are fully deployed.