CVE-2013-1364 in Zabbix
Summary
by MITRE
The user.login function in Zabbix before 1.8.16 and 2.x before 2.0.5rc1 allows remote attackers to override LDAP configuration via the cnf parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1364 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Zabbix monitoring platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.8.16 and 2.x versions before 2.0.5rc1. This issue resides within the user.login function implementation where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate LDAP configuration parameters through the cnf parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to effectively override the intended authentication mechanism, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the monitoring system and its associated resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the cnf parameter within the user.login function, which is designed to handle configuration parameters for LDAP authentication. When the system processes this parameter without adequate sanitization or validation, attackers can inject malicious configuration data that overrides the legitimate LDAP settings. This creates a scenario where the authentication process can be redirected to arbitrary LDAP servers or configurations, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter handling within the authentication flow, allowing arbitrary parameter injection that can alter the system's authentication behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it compromises the fundamental security of the Zabbix monitoring infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the monitoring system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of monitoring services. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Zabbix for critical infrastructure monitoring, where unauthorized access could result in significant operational disruption and security breaches. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Zabbix where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameter handling. The fix typically involves implementing strict input sanitization for the cnf parameter and ensuring that LDAP configuration parameters cannot be overridden through user-controlled inputs. Security measures should also include monitoring for unauthorized authentication attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of the Zabbix server to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that authentication mechanisms are properly configured and validated.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through social engineering or authentication bypass methods. The flaw demonstrates how insufficient parameter validation in authentication functions can create pathways for unauthorized access, highlighting the importance of robust input sanitization and proper access control implementation in security-critical applications. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and privileged access management to reduce the risk associated with authentication bypass vulnerabilities.