CVE-2004-1898 in Monit
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the administration interface in Monit 1.4 through 4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1898 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in the administration interface of Monit versions 1.4 through 4.2. This security weakness resides within the software's handling of user authentication inputs, specifically targeting the username parameter submitted during administrative access attempts. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or limit the length of authentication credentials entered by users. When a remote attacker submits an excessively long username string, the application's stack memory allocation fails to accommodate the input, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as one of the most dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in cybersecurity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the Monit service account. This remote code execution capability enables attackers to gain complete control over the monitored system, potentially allowing them to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access. The attack vector requires only a remote connection to the Monit administration interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of Monit, which is designed to monitor system resources and services, making successful exploitation particularly damaging as it compromises the very tool meant to protect system integrity.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the initial access and execution phases where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to establish footholds within target environments. The attack specifically relates to technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target accessible web interfaces or administrative portals to gain unauthorized access. Organizations running affected Monit versions face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited by automated scanning tools that continuously probe for known vulnerabilities, making it a prime target for opportunistic attackers. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles, as proper bounds checking should have been implemented to prevent the buffer overflow condition from occurring in the first place.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Monit installations to versions that address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory management. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to Monit administration interfaces, restricting access to trusted IP addresses and implementing strong authentication mechanisms. Additionally, monitoring for unusual authentication attempts and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and proper input sanitization in application development, as well as the necessity of conducting vulnerability assessments on critical system monitoring tools. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces and establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of discovered vulnerabilities.