CVE-2021-3494Network attack vector

Data interception via unverified FreeIPA TLS certificate

Published Apr 26, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Certificate validation failure in Foreman before 2.5.0 allows remote attackers to intercept FreeIPA realm operations through a network MitM. The realm_freeipa Smart Proxy client sends IPA token API requests without verifying the FreeIPA server CA certificate. Exploitation requires control of that network path during a realm operation; a forged endpoint can read request data sent under the Foreman realm identity.

CVSS severity6.1
Medium
EPSS probability0.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Certificate validation failure in Foreman before 2.5.0 allows remote attackers to intercept FreeIPA realm operations through a network MitM. The realm_freeipa Smart Proxy client sends IPA token API requests without verifying the FreeIPA server CA certificate. Exploitation requires control of that network path during a realm operation; a forged endpoint can read request data sent under the Foreman realm identity.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3494
Published
Apr 26, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Foreman Project
Product
Foreman
Classifications
CWE-319, T1557
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 26, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=foreman 2.5.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Foreman Project · Foremanversion=foreman 2.5.0

Published CVSS scores

5.9NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
6.1Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-319Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
T1557Adversary-in-the-Middle

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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