CVE-2011-4431 in Centreon
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in main.php in Merethis Centreon before 2.3.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via a .. (dot dot) in the command_name parameter.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4431 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Merethis Centreon monitoring platform version 2.3.1 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the main.php script and specifically affects the command_name parameter handling mechanism. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The directory traversal occurs when the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input passed through the command_name parameter, allowing malicious actors to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access restricted system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper path resolution within the Centreon web application. When an authenticated user submits a command_name parameter containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or similar path manipulation constructs, the application processes these inputs without adequate sanitization. This allows the attacker to craft malicious requests that can traverse the file system hierarchy and access files or execute commands that should otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the existing authentication mechanism, meaning attackers do not need to bypass authentication to exploit this flaw, but rather use their authenticated session to perform malicious operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4431 extends beyond simple file access violations, as it can enable complete system compromise when exploited by authenticated attackers. An attacker with valid credentials can potentially execute arbitrary code on the Centreon server, leading to data exfiltration, system manipulation, or use of the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the monitoring infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to gain insights into network operations, manipulate monitoring data, or disrupt services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Centreon platform to version 2.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent similar issues in other applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous validation before being processed. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for Centreon user accounts and regular security assessments of monitoring platforms will help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all user-facing interfaces in monitoring and management systems.