CVE-2016-3172 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in tree.php in Cacti 0.8.8g and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the parent_id parameter in an item_edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The CVE-2016-3172 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Cacti network monitoring platform version 0.8.8g and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the tree.php script within the application's web interface, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Cacti for network infrastructure monitoring. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted parameter values.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the parent_id parameter within the item_edit action of the tree.php script. When authenticated users with sufficient privileges navigate to the affected functionality, attackers can inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal input validation checks. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated attack vector means that exploitation requires valid user credentials but does not necessitate physical access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3172 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data. Organizations using affected Cacti versions face risks including data exfiltration, database corruption, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring information, which is particularly concerning given that Cacti systems often contain critical infrastructure performance data and network topology information.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046, representing network service scanning that could precede exploitation of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security assessments of their network monitoring infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameter sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data in database operations.