CVE-2024-3716 is a vulnerability identified in the foreman-installer tool, specifically when the puppet-candlepin component is executed with the --password parameter. The issue arises because the password is passed as a command-line argument, which on many operating systems is visible to any user who can list running processes (e.g., via commands like ps or top). This exposure allows an unauthorized local attacker to retrieve the password from the process list without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by leaking sensitive authentication credentials, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access protected resources if they can leverage the stolen password. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.2 (medium severity), reflecting the local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no patches or fixed versions have been linked yet. The vulnerability is primarily a result of insecure handling of sensitive parameters in command-line arguments, a common security anti-pattern that can lead to credential leakage on multi-user systems.

For European organizations, the exposure of passwords in process lists can lead to unauthorized access to critical infrastructure managed by foreman-installer and puppet-candlepin, which are often used in IT automation and lifecycle management. An attacker with local access could extract passwords and potentially compromise the configuration management environment, leading to further lateral movement or privilege escalation. This risk is particularly significant in shared hosting environments, multi-tenant servers, or organizations with insufficient access controls on system processes. Confidentiality breaches could result in data exposure, compliance violations (e.g., GDPR), and operational disruptions if attackers misuse the credentials. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the leaked credentials could be leveraged in chained attacks affecting broader IT systems.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should avoid passing sensitive passwords as command-line arguments. Instead, use secure methods such as environment variables, configuration files with strict permissions, or secure credential stores integrated with foreman-installer and puppet-candlepin. Restrict local user access to systems running these tools to trusted administrators only, and enforce strict process visibility controls (e.g., using Linux kernel features like hidepid or namespaces) to prevent unauthorized users from viewing other users' processes. Monitor system logs and process listings for suspicious activity. Apply principle of least privilege to limit who can execute or view puppet-candlepin commands. Stay alert for official patches or updates from foreman-installer maintainers and apply them promptly once available. Additionally, conduct regular audits of credential handling practices in automation tools to prevent similar issues.