CVE-2026-96658 in Satellite
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2026
A flaw was found in Foreman. An authenticated attacker with low-level permissions can achieve remote code execution (RCE) by bypassing the safemode sandbox within the templating engine. Due to improper handling of delegated methods, an attacker can append unauthorized functions to the allowed execution list, enabling them to run arbitrary commands on the hosting server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2026
The vulnerability identified in Foreman represents a critical security failure within its embedded templating engine, specifically targeting the safemode sandbox mechanism designed to restrict code execution capabilities for users with limited privileges. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker operating under low-level permissions to escalate their access and achieve remote code execution on the hosting server. The core of this issue lies in how the system handles delegated methods during template rendering processes. Instead of strictly enforcing a whitelist of allowed functions, the implementation contains a logic error that permits the appending of unauthorized or arbitrary functions to the list of permitted operations. This bypass effectively neutralizes the security boundary intended by the safemode sandbox, transforming what should be an isolated execution environment into one where malicious actors can inject and execute system-level commands.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-94 as Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection). The attacker exploits the improper handling of delegated methods to manipulate the internal state of the templating engine. By appending specific functions that are not part of the approved safe list, the attacker gains the ability to invoke system calls or shell commands directly from within a template context. This mechanism bypasses standard authentication and authorization checks because the vulnerability operates at the level of function execution rather than access control validation. The flaw is particularly dangerous as it does not require high-level administrative credentials; any user account with basic permissions, such as those assigned to view-only roles or limited provisioning rights, can potentially trigger this code injection path if they have write access to templates or are able to influence template rendering through other means like host group configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, leading directly to full remote code execution on the server hosting Foreman. Once an attacker successfully exploits this flaw, they gain a command shell with the privileges of the user account running the Foreman service, which is typically root or a dedicated system user with significant access rights. This allows for complete compromise of the underlying infrastructure, including the ability to exfiltrate sensitive data such as database credentials, SSH keys, and configuration files stored on the server. Furthermore, the attacker can use this foothold to pivot into other systems managed by Foreman, potentially disrupting network operations or installing persistent backdoors. The breach undermines the integrity and confidentiality of the entire infrastructure management platform, exposing organizations to significant risk in their DevOps and IT automation workflows.
In terms of threat modeling, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Command and Scripting Interpreter abuse, specifically T1059 which covers various scripting languages used for execution. The attack vector involves leveraging the application's own features against it, a pattern often seen in complex web applications where template engines are misconfigured or lack strict input validation on executable functions. This is not merely an injection of external code but rather an abuse of internal functionality through parameter manipulation and method delegation flaws.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately apply the security patches provided by Foreman upstream that address the safemode sandbox bypass. It is critical to ensure that all instances are updated to a version where the delegated methods are properly sanitized and do not allow arbitrary function appending. In addition to patching, administrators should review user permissions within Foreman, adhering to the principle of least privilege by ensuring that users who do not require template editing capabilities have those rights revoked. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls may offer some detection capability for anomalous template rendering patterns but are insufficient as a primary defense against this specific logic flaw. Regular auditing of user roles and continuous monitoring for unusual system command executions originating from the Foreman service account are recommended to detect any potential exploitation attempts that might have occurred prior to remediation.