CVE-2023-0118
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows admin users in Foreman to bypass safe mode restrictions in templates, enabling arbitrary code execution on the underlying operating system. It affects Foreman installations where admin users have template editing privileges. The high CVSS score reflects the potential for complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- Foreman
📦 What is this software?
Foreman by Theforeman
Satellite by Redhat
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system takeover with admin privileges leading to data theft, lateral movement, and persistent backdoors across the infrastructure.
Likely Case
Privileged admin user executes malicious code to compromise the Foreman server, potentially affecting managed systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls restrict admin users and network segmentation isolates Foreman servers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin credentials. The vulnerability is in template safe mode bypass, making it straightforward for malicious admins.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Red Hat advisories RHSA-2023:4466, RHSA-2023:5979, RHSA-2023:5980, RHSA-2023:6818 for specific versions
Vendor Advisory: https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-0118
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review Red Hat advisories for your Foreman version. 2. Apply the recommended patches via yum update or satellite. 3. Restart Foreman services to apply changes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Admin Template Access
linuxLimit admin users' ability to edit templates to reduce attack surface.
# Configure Foreman roles to remove template editing from admin privileges
Network Segmentation
allIsolate Foreman servers from critical infrastructure to limit lateral movement.
# Use firewall rules to restrict Foreman server network access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit admin users and monitor their activities.
- Disable template editing for all users if not required, and use network segmentation to contain potential breaches.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Foreman version against Red Hat advisories. If admin users can edit templates and safe mode is bypassable, assume vulnerable.Check Version:
foreman --version or check /etc/foreman/version fileVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Foreman version is updated to patched versions listed in Red Hat advisories and test template safe mode functionality.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual template modifications by admin users
- Execution of unexpected system commands from Foreman processes
Network Indicators:
- Anomalous outbound connections from Foreman server to unknown destinations
SIEM Query:
source="foreman.log" AND (event="template_edit" OR event="command_execution")🔗 References
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:4466
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:5979
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:5980
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:6818
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-0118
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2159291
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:4466
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:5979
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:5980
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2023:6818
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-0118
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2159291
