# CVE-2018-14623: katello SQL Injection vulnerability

> An authenticated attacker can exploit a SQL injection flaw in Katello's errata API to leak internal database IDs.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.3 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 13 Dec 2018
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jx5v-788g-qw58

## What is CVE-2018-14623?

CVE-2018-14623 is a medium-severity SQL injection vulnerability in The Foreman Project katello, published on 13 Dec 2018. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A SQL injection flaw was found in katello's errata-related API. An authenticated remote attacker can craft input data to force a malformed SQL query to the backend database, which will leak internal IDs. This is issue is related to an incomplete fix for CVE-2016-3072. Version 3.10 and older is vulnerable.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), CWE-209 (Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-14623?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including katello. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `katello` | RubyGems | All versions to 3.10 | None |
| `katello` | RubyGems | All versions to 3.10 | None |

Products: Theforeman Katello.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-14623?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2018-14623 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-14623 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in The Foreman Project katello

- [CVE-2013-4120](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4120/): Denial of service in Katello (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2013-0283](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-0283/): Cross-site scripting in Katello (medium 5.4)
- [CVE-2017-2662](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-2662/): katello Improper Privilege Management vulnerability (medium 4.3)
- [CVE-2019-14825](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-14825/): Katello cleartext password storage issue (medium 4.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-14623 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-14623 is a medium-severity SQL injection vulnerability in The Foreman Project katello, published on 13 Dec 2018. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-14623 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- katello (RubyGems): affected all versions up to 3.10; no fix listed
- katello (RubyGems): affected all versions up to 3.10; no fix listed

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-2018-14623/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-14623/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-14623
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-14623
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-14623

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-14623/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.