CVE-2014-5261 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
The graph settings script (graph_settings.php) in Cacti 0.8.8b and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a font size, related to the rrdtool commandline in lib/rrd.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5261 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Cacti network monitoring platform version 0.8.8b and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the graph settings script called graph_settings.php which processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw specifically manifests when the application handles font size parameters that are passed to the rrdtool command line utility through the lib/rrd.php library. The absence of proper input filtering creates an environment where malicious actors can inject shell metacharacters that get executed with the privileges of the web server process.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into command execution contexts. The attack vector leverages the trust placed in user input within the web interface, specifically targeting the configuration parameters that control graph rendering. When an attacker submits malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks in the font size field, these characters are interpreted by the underlying shell and executed as part of the command line invocation to rrdtool. The operational impact is severe as this allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the Cacti application, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network monitoring data.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple command execution as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Cacti is commonly deployed for network monitoring and performance tracking. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the command injection to execute malicious payloads and potentially move laterally within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of monitoring data, as attackers can not only execute commands but also potentially exfiltrate sensitive information or modify monitoring configurations to hide malicious activities.
Organizations using affected versions of Cacti should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to version 0.8.8c or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and validation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide defense-in-depth measures to prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing and restricting file permissions for the web server, ensuring that the application runs with minimal required privileges and that proper access controls are implemented to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also monitor network traffic for suspicious command execution patterns and implement proper logging to detect potential exploitation attempts.