CVE-2015-4342 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Cacti before 0.8.8d allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors involving a cdef id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4342 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Cacti network monitoring platform prior to version 0.8.8d. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. The specific attack vector involves a cdef id parameter that is processed without sufficient sanitization, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a severe weakness in software security architecture. The flaw enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The cdef id parameter serves as the primary entry point for exploitation, where an attacker can inject malicious SQL payloads that are then executed within the database context. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit this weakness.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4342 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Network monitoring systems like Cacti are often deployed in critical infrastructure environments where unauthorized access can lead to significant operational disruptions and security breaches. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of monitoring data, potentially allowing attackers to alter performance metrics, hide malicious activities, or gain access to sensitive network information that would normally be protected within the monitoring system.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Cacti should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to version 0.8.8d or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Additional mitigations should include implementing proper input validation controls, applying database query parameterization techniques, and establishing network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in widely deployed monitoring solutions. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1078 for valid accounts, as exploitation typically requires legitimate user access and can lead to persistent access within the monitored environment.