CVE-2002-2104 in PHP RRD Web Client
Summary
by MITRE
graph.php in Ganglia PHP RRD Web Client 1.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the command parameter, which is provided to the passthru function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2104 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the Ganglia PHP RRD Web Client version 1.0.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the graph.php component which serves as a web interface for generating graphical representations of system performance data collected by the Ganglia monitoring system. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the web application's parameter handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the command parameter that is directly passed to the passthru PHP function. The passthru function in PHP executes a command and outputs the result directly to the browser without any input filtering or sanitization. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attackers can append malicious commands to the legitimate system commands that the application intends to execute. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling full system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to monitoring infrastructure security. Since Ganglia is commonly deployed in enterprise environments for system monitoring and performance tracking, exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system information, execute malicious code, or even establish persistent backdoors within the monitored network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly attractive for automated attacks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software systems, and it demonstrates characteristics consistent with techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under the Command and Scripting Interpreter tactic. The attack vector follows the pattern of executing system commands through web interfaces, which is a common technique used by threat actors to escalate privileges and move laterally within compromised environments. Organizations utilizing this monitoring tool face significant risk of unauthorized system access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected software to version 1.0.3 or later which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected web interface, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Input validation should be enforced at multiple levels including web application firewalls and proper parameter sanitization within the application code. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other monitoring and management tools within the infrastructure. The principle of least privilege should be applied to web server accounts to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.