CVE-2017-15936 in Pandora FMS
Summary
by MITRE
In Artica Pandora FMS version 7.0, an Attacker with write Permission can create an agent with an XSS Payload; when a user enters the agent definitions page, the script will get executed.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15936 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Artica Pandora FMS version 7.0, specifically targeting the agent management functionality. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious content submitted by authenticated users with write permissions. The vulnerability exists in the agent definition page where user-supplied data is rendered without proper encoding or sanitization, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed when other users navigate to the affected interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security flaw. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage their write permissions to inject malicious JavaScript payloads into agent definitions, which then execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access the agent management interface. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised users become unwitting participants in the attack chain, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient output escaping where user-controllable data flows directly into HTML output without proper context-aware encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15936 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access points within the monitoring environment. When compromised users view agent definitions, the injected scripts execute with the privileges of the victim user, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive monitoring data, modify agent configurations, or even escalate their privileges within the Pandora FMS environment. The attack requires only a user with write permissions, which may be more easily obtained than administrative access in many environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through command-line interfaces, as the executed payloads can be used to establish further footholds within the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, particularly when this data is used in HTML contexts. Implementing proper Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits of input handling routines should be conducted to prevent similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation and least-privilege principles to limit the damage potential of compromised accounts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in web applications where user input is frequently processed and displayed, and demonstrates why automated security testing and code reviews are essential components of any robust security program.