CVE-2013-3502 in GroundWork Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
monarch_scan.cgi in the MONARCH component in GroundWork Monitor Enterprise 6.7.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands, and consequently obtain sensitive information, by leveraging a JOSSO SSO cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-3502 represents a critical command execution flaw within the GroundWork Monitor Enterprise 6.7.0 monitoring platform, specifically affecting the monarch_scan.cgi script in the MONARCH component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and improper handling of authentication tokens within the Single Sign-On (SSO) framework, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate SSO cookie mechanisms to bypass normal access controls, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through standard network monitoring approaches.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of JOSSO SSO cookies, which are typically used to maintain user sessions across different applications within a federated authentication environment. When an authenticated user accesses the monarch_scan.cgi script, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the SSO cookie data before processing it within system command contexts. This improper input handling creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled data is concatenated into system execution calls without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The CWE-77 vulnerability class specifically addresses command injection flaws, where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to include comprehensive system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain full system privileges and access to sensitive information stored within the GroundWork monitoring environment, including configuration files, user credentials, and network monitoring data. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the monitoring infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate monitoring data, disable security controls, or establish persistent access points within the network. The attack surface is particularly wide since the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, which is often less strictly controlled than direct administrative access.
Organizations implementing GroundWork Monitor Enterprise 6.7.0 should prioritize immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation controls, proper cookie sanitization mechanisms, and enhanced session management protocols within the SSO framework. Security teams should implement network segmentation to limit access to monitoring components and establish strict access controls for administrative functions. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their SSO implementations and monitor for unusual command execution patterns in system logs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage system commands to achieve their objectives, making it essential for security operations to monitor and detect such activities through behavioral analytics and log analysis.