CVE-2004-1737 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in auth_login.php in Cacti 0.8.5a allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands and bypass authentication via the (1) username or (2) password parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1737 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the authentication component of Cacti version 0.8.5a. This issue resides within the auth_login.php script which handles user authentication processes. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically affecting the username and password parameters that are processed during the login sequence. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the sql query structure by injecting malicious sql code through these parameters, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the system.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into input fields for execution by the database. The attack vector operates through remote exploitation where an attacker can craft specially formatted inputs that bypass normal authentication mechanisms. When the vulnerable application processes these inputs without proper sanitization, the sql query structure becomes manipulated, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary database commands. The authentication bypass capability means that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise without proper authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with direct database access and potential administrative privileges. An attacker could extract sensitive user credentials, modify database content, or even escalate privileges to gain complete control over the Cacti monitoring system. The vulnerability affects the core authentication functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security model of the application. Systems utilizing Cacti 0.8.5a for network monitoring and performance tracking would be at significant risk, especially in environments where database credentials are not properly isolated from application code.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Cacti where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that application accounts have minimal required privileges and that proper separation of concerns exists between database and application layers. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing of all input handling components and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP top ten security risks and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for web application security.