CVE-2014-2709 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
lib/rrd.php in Cacti 0.8.7g, 0.8.8b, and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2709 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Cacti network monitoring system, specifically affecting versions 0.8.7g, 0.8.8b, and earlier. This issue resides in the lib/rrd.php file, which is a core component responsible for processing data related to network monitoring and graph generation. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data containing shell metacharacters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious commands through unspecified parameters that are processed by the vulnerable script, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern where attacker-controlled input flows directly into system execution contexts without proper sanitization. When Cacti processes requests containing shell metacharacters within the affected parameters, these characters are interpreted by the underlying operating system shell, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application user. This flaw directly maps to CWE-77, which classifies command injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of sanitizing all user-supplied data before it is processed by system commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2709 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the affected environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the monitoring server, potentially accessing sensitive network data, modifying monitoring configurations, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on Cacti for network monitoring, where the compromised system may serve as a critical component for network visibility and performance tracking, making the potential impact on business operations significant.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2709 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cacti versions to the latest stable releases that contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the Cacti system to untrusted networks. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing proper input validation at multiple layers can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices including parameterized queries, input sanitization, and principle of least privilege when developing and maintaining monitoring systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other network monitoring tools and systems within the organization's infrastructure.