# CVE-2016-3728: Code injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via the PXE template type in the Foreman Smart-Proxy TFTP module.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 May 2016
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-p492-9h7w-9x72

## What is CVE-2016-3728?

CVE-2016-3728 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Theforeman Foreman, published on 20 May 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Eval injection vulnerability in tftp_api.rb in the TFTP module in the Smart-Proxy in Foreman before 1.10.4 and 1.11.x before 1.11.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the PXE template type portion of the PATH_INFO to tftp/.

Weakness: CWE-284 (Improper Access Control)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-3728?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Theforeman Foreman.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-3728?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2016-3728 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-3728 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Theforeman Foreman

- [CVE-2018-14643](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-14643/): smart_proxy_dynflow gem authentication bypass in Foreman remote execution feature (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-7505](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7505/): Missing authorization in foreman (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2016-4475](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-4475/): Missing authorization in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2015-5246](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-5246/): Auth bypass in n/a (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2015-5152](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-5152/): Information disclosure in n/a (high 8.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-3728 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-3728 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Theforeman Foreman, published on 20 May 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-3728 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Theforeman Foreman. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3728/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3728/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-3728
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-3728
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-3728

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3728/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.