CVE-2012-6096 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the get_history function in history.cgi in Nagios Core before 3.4.4, and Icinga 1.6.x before 1.6.2, 1.7.x before 1.7.4, and 1.8.x before 1.8.4, might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) host_name variable (host parameter) or (2) svc_description variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6096 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Nagios Core and Icinga monitoring systems. This vulnerability resides within the get_history function of the history.cgi component, which is responsible for retrieving historical monitoring data from the system. The flaw manifests when the system processes user-supplied input through HTTP parameters, specifically targeting the host_name and svc_description variables that are commonly used in monitoring contexts to identify hosts and service descriptions within the monitoring infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation and bounds checking in the get_history function. When remote attackers supply excessively long strings through the host parameter or svc_description parameter, the application fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the code does not enforce maximum length limits on the input data, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web-based interfaces, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring local system access. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the return addresses and other critical stack data can be overwritten, potentially allowing attackers to redirect program execution flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further compromise within monitoring environments. Monitoring systems like Nagios and Icinga often serve as critical infrastructure components that provide visibility into network and system health, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access or information gathering. The vulnerability affects multiple versions across both Nagios Core and Icinga, indicating a widespread exposure that could impact numerous organizations relying on these monitoring solutions. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical monitoring services that organizations depend upon for operational continuity and security incident response.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address this vulnerability, as the exploitation of buffer overflows in web applications remains a common attack vector. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions of Nagios Core 3.4.4 and the corresponding Icinga versions mentioned in the advisory. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and length checking mechanisms at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of monitoring interfaces to trusted users only, while monitoring for unusual access patterns or exploitation attempts can help detect potential compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and represents a significant risk under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for regular security assessments of monitoring infrastructure components that are often overlooked in security hardening efforts.