CVE-2007-3113 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
Cacti 0.8.6i, and possibly other versions, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a large value of the (1) graph_height or (2) graph_width parameter, different vectors than CVE-2007-3112.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3113 affects Cacti version 0.8.6i and potentially other versions, representing a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers. This issue specifically targets the graphing functionality within the Cacti monitoring system, which is widely used for network monitoring and performance tracking in enterprise environments. The vulnerability operates through manipulation of graphical parameter values, demonstrating how seemingly benign configuration options can be weaponized to disrupt system operations. Cacti's web-based interface processes user inputs to generate network graphs and visualizations, making it a critical component in IT infrastructure monitoring that requires robust protection against malicious input manipulation.
The technical flaw manifests when authenticated users submit excessively large values for either the graph_height or graph_width parameters within the Cacti web application. These parameters control the dimensions of graphical representations displayed in the monitoring interface, but when manipulated with unusually large values, they trigger computational overhead that consumes excessive CPU resources. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to specify dimensions that cause the system to perform unnecessary calculations or allocate excessive memory resources. This particular weakness falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks, where the attacker's goal is to consume system resources to the point where legitimate operations become impossible. The attack vectors differ from CVE-2007-3112, indicating that multiple pathways exist for exploiting the same underlying architectural weakness in the parameter handling logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render the Cacti monitoring system unusable for legitimate administrators and users. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, the targeted system experiences sustained high CPU utilization, which can lead to cascading failures in network monitoring capabilities. This disruption is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Cacti serves as a critical component for tracking network performance and identifying potential issues before they escalate into major incidents. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging when combined with other network monitoring systems that depend on Cacti's data, as it creates a ripple effect that impacts broader infrastructure visibility and incident response capabilities. Organizations relying on Cacti for monitoring critical network infrastructure may experience significant operational downtime and reduced ability to detect and respond to actual network threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3113 should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameter sanitization within the Cacti application. System administrators should immediately apply available patches and updates to Cacti versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the issue affects multiple versions within the 0.8.6.x series. The implementation of rate limiting and resource consumption monitoring can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts before they cause significant damage to system performance. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the number of authenticated users who can submit graph parameters, reducing the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual parameter values being submitted to web applications, as this behavior pattern can serve as an early warning indicator of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-400 indicates that it represents an improper input validation issue, while its exploitation pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for resource exhaustion attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader system resilience requirements.