CVE-2014-5026 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Cacti 0.8.8b allow remote authenticated users with console access to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) Graph Tree Title in a delete or (2) edit action; (3) CDEF Name, (4) Data Input Method Name, or (5) Host Templates Name in a delete action; (6) Data Source Title; (7) Graph Title; or (8) Graph Template Name in a delete or (9) duplicate action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5026 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Cacti network monitoring platform version 0.8.8b. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who possess console access privileges, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Cacti for network infrastructure monitoring. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web application's user interface components, particularly those related to various administrative functions and data management operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple attack vectors that exploit the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages. Attackers can leverage this weakness by manipulating parameters associated with Graph Tree Titles during delete or edit operations, or by injecting malicious content into CDEF Names, Data Input Method Names, Host Templates Names, Data Source Titles, Graph Titles, and Graph Template Names. These injection points occur during delete, duplicate, and edit actions, providing multiple pathways for exploitation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, specifically manifesting as cross-site scripting that allows execution of arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code within the browser of authenticated users who have console access. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised users could unknowingly execute malicious payloads, potentially leading to complete system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive monitoring data. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on Cacti's console functionality for network administration, as the authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first gain legitimate user credentials or exploit other authentication bypass mechanisms. The attack surface is broad due to the multiple injection points, making it difficult for administrators to fully protect against all potential exploitation scenarios.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates, implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and establishing strict access controls for console functionality. Network segmentation and monitoring of console access activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's application security category. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on input validation and output encoding to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks, while user education regarding suspicious activities and access patterns can help identify potential compromise scenarios.