CVE-2017-15194 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE
include/global_session.php in Cacti 1.1.25 has XSS related to (1) the URI or (2) the refresh page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-15194 represents a cross-site scripting weakness in the Cacti network monitoring platform version 1.1.25, specifically within the include/global_session.php file. This flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters that are used in URI construction or refresh page functionality. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response. When a victim visits a crafted URL containing malicious script payloads or when the application performs automatic page refreshes with unvalidated parameters, the injected code executes within the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-controllable variables that are directly incorporated into HTTP responses without appropriate sanitization or encoding. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting, which encompasses various methods of injecting malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects the global session management component of Cacti, which is responsible for maintaining user authentication state and session variables across multiple requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URIs that contain script tags or other malicious payloads, which then get executed when the application processes these parameters during normal operation or refresh cycles.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15194 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the Cacti environment. When an authenticated user visits a maliciously crafted page, the injected JavaScript can capture session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of the authenticated user. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Cacti for network monitoring, as it can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to network statistics, configuration data, and potentially administrative controls. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious link, making it suitable for social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing, as it enables the delivery of malicious payloads through crafted web requests that appear legitimate to users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15194 should prioritize immediate patching of the Cacti application to version 1.1.26 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures across all user-controllable parameters, particularly those used in URI construction and page refresh functionality. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth against script execution, while regular security audits of web application components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and user education programs should be established to raise awareness about the dangers of visiting untrusted links. According to NIST SP 800-53 security controls, this vulnerability requires implementation of input validation controls and secure coding practices to prevent injection attacks, with specific attention to the principle of least privilege in session management components.