CVE-2014-5025 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in data_sources.php in Cacti 0.8.8b allows remote authenticated users with console access to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name_cache parameter in a ds_edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5025 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Cacti network monitoring platform version 0.8.8b. This issue specifically affects the data_sources.php script and occurs when processing the name_cache parameter during a ds_edit action. The vulnerability requires an authenticated user with console access to exploit, making it a privilege-dependent security weakness that could be particularly concerning in environments where console access is granted to multiple users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the Cacti application's data source editing functionality. When an authenticated user submits a ds_edit request containing malicious content in the name_cache parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before rendering it within the web interface. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected data source page. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where malicious payloads are reflected back to users through the application's response handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it could enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive monitoring data, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that Cacti is commonly used for network monitoring and system administration, the potential for damage increases significantly when considering that attackers could access network performance data, configuration information, or other sensitive monitoring details. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on Cacti for infrastructure monitoring, as compromised console access could lead to unauthorized surveillance of network activities and potential escalation to broader system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patch released for Cacti 0.8.8c and later versions. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing input validation measures at the application level, such as implementing proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied data before rendering in web interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering through malicious web content. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the monitoring infrastructure.