CVE-2025-2157 is a vulnerability identified in Red Hat Satellite Server versions 6.16 and 6.17, involving insecure storage of sensitive information due to improper file permissions. Specifically, the flaw allows low-privileged operating system users to monitor and access temporary files located under the /var/tmp directory. These temporary files can contain sensitive command outputs, including highly critical data such as the contents of /etc/shadow, which stores hashed user passwords. The vulnerability arises because the permissions on these temporary files do not adequately restrict access, enabling unauthorized users to read sensitive information. Although the vulnerability does not directly allow remote exploitation, it can be leveraged by local attackers with limited privileges to gain insights into sensitive system data, potentially facilitating privilege escalation attacks. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, reflecting a low severity primarily due to the requirement for local access and limited impact on integrity and availability. No user interaction is required, but the attacker must have at least low-level privileges on the system. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been explicitly linked in the provided data. The vulnerability is categorized under information disclosure risks, which can be a stepping stone for more severe attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.

For European organizations using Red Hat Satellite Server versions 6.16 or 6.17, this vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive information leakage, particularly of password hashes and other critical system data. This exposure can undermine the confidentiality of user credentials and system configurations, potentially enabling attackers to perform privilege escalation and lateral movement within the affected environment. Organizations relying on Satellite Server for managing large-scale Red Hat deployments could see an increased risk if attackers gain local access, for example through compromised user accounts or insider threats. The impact is more pronounced in environments with multiple users having low-level access, such as shared development or operations teams. While the direct impact on system integrity and availability is minimal, the confidentiality breach can lead to further exploitation, data breaches, or compliance violations under regulations like GDPR, which mandates protection of sensitive data. The vulnerability's low CVSS score might lead to underestimation of risk; however, the potential for privilege escalation means organizations should treat it seriously, especially in critical infrastructure or regulated sectors.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should first verify and apply any official patches or updates released by Red Hat for Satellite Server versions 6.16 and 6.17 as soon as they become available. In the absence of patches, administrators should audit and tighten file permissions on the /var/tmp directory and any temporary files created by Satellite Server processes to ensure that only authorized users and processes can access them. Implementing mandatory access controls (MAC) such as SELinux policies can help restrict unauthorized access to sensitive files. Additionally, organizations should review user privileges to minimize the number of users with local access and enforce the principle of least privilege. Monitoring and alerting on unusual file access patterns or privilege escalation attempts can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Regularly rotating and securing credentials, especially those stored or processed by Satellite Server, will reduce the impact of any potential information disclosure. Finally, conducting security awareness training for system administrators and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and secure handling of temporary files can further reduce exposure.