CVE-2017-11691 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in auth_profile.php in Cacti 1.1.13 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via specially crafted HTTP Referer headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11691 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Cacti network monitoring platform version 1.1.13. This vulnerability specifically affects the auth_profile.php component, which handles user authentication and profile management functions within the web interface. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of HTTP Referer headers, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector that leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data from the HTTP Referer header field. When Cacti processes authentication requests, it incorporates the Referer header value directly into the response without adequate filtering or encoding mechanisms. This omission creates a condition where an attacker can craft a malicious Referer header containing embedded script tags or other HTML content that gets executed when the vulnerable page loads. The flaw operates under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary weakness leading to XSS vulnerabilities. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to bypass traditional authentication mechanisms and execute code within the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify page content, or even execute administrative commands if the victim has elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects the entire Cacti user base, particularly those who authenticate through web interfaces where the Referer header might contain untrusted data. This creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by attackers who control or monitor network traffic, potentially allowing for privilege escalation attacks, data exfiltration, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes the use of script-based languages for executing malicious code, and T1566 which covers social engineering techniques to deliver malicious payloads through web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11691 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Cacti version to the latest stable release that includes proper input validation for Referer headers. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewall rules to filter out suspicious Referer header content and establish robust input sanitization practices throughout the application codebase. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual Referer header patterns and establish regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The fix should incorporate proper output encoding mechanisms that prevent malicious scripts from executing even when untrusted data is processed, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP's XSS prevention guidelines and the principle of defense in depth as recommended by NIST cybersecurity frameworks.