CVE-2015-4634 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in graphs.php in Cacti before 0.8.8e allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the local_graph_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2022
The CVE-2015-4634 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the Cacti network monitoring solution, specifically within the graphs.php script. This vulnerability affects Cacti versions prior to 0.8.8e and presents a significant security risk to organizations relying on this widely-used open-source monitoring tool. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through the local_graph_id parameter, potentially allowing full database access and arbitrary code execution. Cacti is commonly deployed in enterprise environments for network performance monitoring, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could compromise critical infrastructure monitoring systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the graphs.php script. When processing the local_graph_id parameter, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to manipulate the query structure by injecting malicious SQL syntax that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application constructs SQL statements without proper parameterization or input filtering, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can alter the intended query execution flow. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could extract sensitive information from the Cacti database including user credentials, monitoring configurations, and potentially access to underlying network infrastructure data. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations using Cacti for network monitoring face risks of data exfiltration, system integrity compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where Cacti serves as a central monitoring point for critical network components, as it could provide attackers with comprehensive visibility into network operations and potentially facilitate more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4634 primarily focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should upgrade to Cacti version 0.8.8e or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting known vulnerable parameters. Input validation should be enhanced to reject non-numeric values for the local_graph_id parameter, and all user inputs should be properly escaped before database interaction. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns that might indicate SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks, where adversaries exploit vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems and data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.