CVE-2012-5967 in Centreon
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in menuXML.php in Centreon 2.3.3 through 2.3.9-4 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the menu parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The CVE-2012-5967 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in Centreon version 2.3.3 through 2.3.9-4, specifically affecting the menuXML.php component. This vulnerability resides within a widely used network monitoring and performance management platform that serves as a cornerstone for many enterprise IT infrastructure monitoring solutions. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the menu parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. Centreon's menuXML.php script is responsible for generating dynamic menu structures and handling user interface navigation elements, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the menu parameter handling mechanism. When authenticated users submit requests containing malicious SQL payloads through the menu parameter, the application directly incorporates these inputs into database queries without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms. This primitive form of SQL injection allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account associated with the Centreon application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who have already compromised user credentials can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges and potentially gain full administrative control over the monitoring platform. The flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe database compromise scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5967 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate the core monitoring functionality of Centreon installations. Successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, allowing adversaries to extract sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and monitoring information that could reveal critical infrastructure details. Attackers can also modify or delete monitoring data, potentially causing false alarms or masking actual security incidents, which undermines the fundamental purpose of the monitoring system. The vulnerability creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks that could lead to system-wide compromise, particularly in environments where Centreon serves as the primary monitoring solution for enterprise networks. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability fits well within the ATT&CK framework under the T1078 privilege escalation technique, as it provides a method for authenticated users to gain elevated access to system resources. The impact is particularly severe in large enterprise environments where Centreon may be managing hundreds or thousands of monitored devices, making the potential damage scale significantly.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their Centreon installations from exploitation. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches that address the input validation issues in menuXML.php and other affected components. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the monitoring platform. Database query parameterization and input sanitization should be implemented as defensive measures, though these are secondary to the official patches. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components of the monitoring infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and implementing comprehensive security monitoring for all critical infrastructure components. Organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure system stability and prevent unintended service disruptions. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for continuous security validation in enterprise monitoring platforms that handle sensitive operational data.