# CVE-2023-0118: Foreman: arbitrary code execution through templates

> An admin user can bypass template safe mode to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system in Red Hat Satellite.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 Sep 2023
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pwc8-3cc6-gg8v

## What is CVE-2023-0118?

CVE-2023-0118 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Redhat Satellite, published on 20 Sep 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An arbitrary code execution flaw was found in Foreman. This flaw allows an admin user to bypass safe mode in templates and execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-0118?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Redhat Satellite, Theforeman Foreman.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-0118?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2023-0118 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-0118 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Redhat Satellite

- [CVE-2024-7012](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-7012/): Puppet-foreman: an authentication bypass vulnerability exists in foreman (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-7923](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-7923/): Puppet-pulpcore: an authentication bypass vulnerability exists in pulpcore (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-96659](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-96659/): Foreman: excessive permissions for viewer role on preview (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2008-2369](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-2369/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2026-96658](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-96658/): Foreman: foreman: arbitrary code execution via safemode sandbox bypass (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-0118 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-0118 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Redhat Satellite, published on 20 Sep 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-0118 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Redhat Satellite. 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-2023-0118/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0118/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-0118
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0118
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-0118

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0118/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.