CVE-2014-4702 in Nagios
Summary
by MITRE
The check_icmp 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-2014-4701.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2022
The check_icmp plugin in Nagios Plugins versions prior to 2.0.2 contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that affects local users through improper handling of the extra-opts flag parameter. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from CVE-2014-4701 and demonstrates a failure in input validation and parameter processing within the plugin's configuration handling mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the plugin processes command-line arguments, specifically the extra-opts flag, which is designed to pass additional options to the underlying ping command execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input when processing the extra-opts parameter. When local users provide malicious input through this flag, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the data before incorporating it into system calls or configuration processing. This oversight allows attackers to manipulate the plugin's behavior in ways that can expose sensitive information contained within INI configuration files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning that any user with access to execute the plugin can potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed configuration files may contain credentials, system paths, network configurations, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for further exploitation. Attackers could potentially extract authentication tokens, service endpoints, or network topology information that would aid in subsequent attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to privilege escalation or data leakage scenarios. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers filesystem discovery, as the exploitation process involves accessing and reading configuration files that may contain sensitive system information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include updating to Nagios Plugins version 2.0.2 or later, where the developers have implemented proper input validation and sanitization for the extra-opts flag parameter. System administrators should also implement least privilege principles, ensuring that only authorized users have the ability to execute the check_icmp plugin. Additionally, monitoring and logging of plugin execution should be enhanced to detect anomalous usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or system components that may exhibit similar input handling weaknesses. The fix implemented by the Nagios team addresses the root cause by properly sanitizing user input and ensuring that configuration file contents are not inadvertently exposed through the plugin's command processing mechanisms.