CVE-2026-18147
Description
A flaw was found in FreeIPA. An unauthenticated remote attacker could exploit a DOM Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FreeIPA/IdM Web UI password reset page. By enticing a victim to click a specially crafted link and complete a password reset, the attacker could inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code. This allows the attacker to perform actions within the victim's authenticated session, potentially leading to full administrative control if an IdM administrator is targeted.
Statement
This is an Important flaw in the FreeIPA/IdM Web UI password reset page, allowing an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript. Exploitation requires a victim to click a crafted link and complete the password reset, potentially leading to full IdM administrative compromise if an administrator is targeted. This poses a significant risk to identity management infrastructure.
Mitigation
Restrict network access to the FreeIPA/IdM Web UI to trusted networks only. This can be achieved by configuring firewall rules to limit access to the IdM server's web interface (typically port 443 for HTTPS) from specific IP addresses or subnets. For example, using `firewalld` on RHEL, you can add a rich rule to allow access only from trusted sources. Ensure that any firewall changes are persistent across reboots and that the firewall service is reloaded or restarted for changes to take effect, which may temporarily disrupt access to the IdM Web UI.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 8.1 | N/A | 8.1 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | Required |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism; Read Application Data
The most common attack performed with cross-site scripting involves the disclosure of private information stored in user cookies, such as session information. Typically, a malicious user will craft a client-side script, which -- when parsed by a web browser -- performs some activity on behalf of the victim to an attacker-controlled system (such as sending all site cookies to a given E-mail address). This could be especially dangerous to the site if the victim has administrator privileges to manage that site. This script will be loaded and run by each user visiting the web site. Since the site requesting to run the script has access to the cookies in question, the malicious script does also.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
In some circumstances it may be possible to run arbitrary code on a victim's computer when cross-site scripting is combined with other flaws, for example, "drive-by hacking."
Confidentiality,Integrity,Availability,Access Control
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism; Read Application Data
The consequence of an XSS attack is the same regardless of whether it is stored or reflected. The difference is in how the payload arrives at the server. XSS can cause a variety of problems for the end user that range in severity from an annoyance to complete account compromise. Some cross-site scripting vulnerabilities can be exploited to manipulate or steal cookies, create requests that can be mistaken for those of a valid user, compromise confidential information, or execute malicious code on the end user systems for a variety of nefarious purposes. Other damaging attacks include the disclosure of end user files, installation of Trojan horse programs, redirecting the user to some other page or site, running "Active X" controls (under Microsoft Internet Explorer) from sites that a user perceives as trustworthy, and modifying presentation of content.
Acknowledgements
This issue was discovered by Todd Cullum (Red Hat).
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