CVE-2017-15136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Red Hat Satellite 6 allows an attacker to prevent access to security updates by changing a system's hostname.

Understanding CVE-2017-15136

Red Hat Satellite 6 vulnerability impacting system updates.

What is CVE-2017-15136?

When a new system in Red Hat Satellite 6 changes its hostname to match a previously registered system, the latter loses access to crucial updates, including security patches.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15136

This vulnerability can lead to a significant security risk as systems may miss out on essential updates, leaving them exposed to potential threats.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15136

Red Hat Satellite 6 hostname change issue.

Vulnerability Description

Changing the hostname of a system in Red Hat Satellite 6 to match a previously registered system can result in the loss of update access for the latter.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Satellite 6
Vendor: Red Hat, Inc.
Version: 6.3.0

Exploitation Mechanism

By registering and activating a new system with a different hostname that is later changed to match an existing system, the latter loses update access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2017-15136 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid changing hostnames of systems in Red Hat Satellite 6 to prevent update access issues.
Regularly monitor and verify system hostnames to ensure uniqueness.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict hostname change policies to avoid conflicts.
Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly.

Patching and Updates

Apply relevant patches and updates provided by Red Hat to mitigate the CVE-2017-15136 vulnerability.