CVE-2014-4701 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE
The check_dhcp plugin in Nagios Plugins before 2.0.2 allows local users to obtain sensitive information from INI configuration files via the extra-opts flag, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-4702.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4701 affects the check_dhcp plugin within Nagios Plugins version 2.0.1 and earlier, presenting a significant information disclosure risk that impacts system security posture. This issue specifically manifests through the improper handling of the extra-opts flag parameter, which creates an avenue for local attackers to extract sensitive data from INI configuration files that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates within the context of monitoring and network management systems where Nagios plugins execute with elevated privileges, making the potential impact more severe than typical information disclosure flaws.
The technical flaw resides in how the check_dhcp plugin processes command-line arguments, particularly when the extra-opts flag is utilized. When local users provide specific parameters through this flag, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate input before processing, allowing arbitrary file access to configuration files that contain sensitive information such as authentication credentials, network parameters, or system configurations. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and input validation, creating a direct path for information extraction that bypasses normal access controls. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a classic case of improper input validation leading to unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted configuration data could enable attackers to escalate their privileges or conduct further reconnaissance against the network infrastructure. Local users who can execute the check_dhcp plugin with sufficient permissions can leverage this flaw to obtain sensitive data that might include database connection strings, API keys, or other critical system parameters. This information could then be used to launch more sophisticated attacks against the monitored systems or to gain deeper access to network resources. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the monitoring infrastructure by potentially compromising the confidentiality of sensitive operational data, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Nagios is commonly deployed for network monitoring and security operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Nagios Plugins version 2.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. System administrators should also review and restrict execution permissions for the check_dhcp plugin to minimize potential attack surfaces, ensuring that only authorized users can execute the monitoring tools. Additional protective measures include implementing proper file access controls on configuration files, conducting regular security audits of monitoring systems, and establishing network segmentation to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, and represents a clear violation of security best practices for maintaining data confidentiality in monitoring environments.