Red Hat Satellite 6.16 for RHEL 8: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CVE-2026-12544 is a high-severity deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in Red Hat Satellite 6.16 for RHEL 8 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.7 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with administrator privileges, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.22% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Satellite to 6.16.4 or 6.17.12 or 6.19.5 or 6.18.10, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on access.redhat.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Satellite 6.16 for RHEL 8 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Satellite 6.16 for RHEL 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Satellite 6.17 for RHEL 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Satellite 6.18 for RHEL 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Satellite 6.19 for RHEL 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Satellite 6 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Satellite | 6.0; 6.16 up to, but not including, 6.16.4; 6.17 up to, but not including, 6.17.12; 6.19 up to, but not including, 6.19.5; 6.18 up to, but not including, 6.18.10 | 6.16.4, 6.17.12, 6.19.5, 6.18.10 |
| Theforeman | Foreman | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (redhat.com).
Official description
A flaw was found in Foreman. The foreman-rake initialization logic in /usr/share/foreman/config/settings.rb contains a vulnerable code pattern where configuration data is processed through two distinct executable layers. This creates a multi-stage execution chain that allows for both Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) and insecure deserialization. This vulnerability can lead to remote code execution, total infrastructure compromise and supply chain risk.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If available, use the signing/sealing features of the programming language to assure that deserialized data has not been tainted. For example, a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) could be used to ensure that data has not been modified.
- When deserializing data, populate a new object rather than just deserializing. The result is that the data flows through safe input validation and that the functions are safe.
- Explicitly define a final object() to prevent deserialization.
More Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities (CWE-502)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/07/6Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat Satellite 6.16 for RHEL 8
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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