CVE-2018-20727 in NeDi
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple command injection vulnerabilities in NeDi before 1.7Cp3 allow authenticated users to execute code on the server side via the flt parameter to Nodes-Traffic.php, the dv parameter to Devices-Graph.php, or the tit parameter to drawmap.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20727 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting NeDi network monitoring software versions prior to 1.7Cp3. This vulnerability resides in the authentication-based attack surface where legitimate users can exploit multiple entry points to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server. The flaw manifests through three distinct parameters across different PHP scripts, creating multiple attack vectors that collectively weaken the software's security posture. The affected applications include Nodes-Traffic.php which processes the flt parameter, Devices-Graph.php handling the dv parameter, and drawmap.php processing the tit parameter, each susceptible to malicious input manipulation.
Command injection vulnerabilities of this nature fall under the CWE-77 classification, which specifically addresses the condition where a program allows untrusted input to be interpreted as operating system commands. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the NeDi application's parameter handling logic. When authenticated users submit malicious payloads through these parameters, the software fails to properly escape or filter the input before incorporating it into system commands, creating a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution. This issue is particularly concerning as it requires only authentication access, meaning that attackers with valid user credentials can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the underlying server infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-20727 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise capabilities. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can potentially gain root-level access to the network monitoring server, allowing for complete data exfiltration, system modification, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist in core network monitoring functions, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with visibility into network traffic patterns, device configurations, and other sensitive monitoring data. The vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and script interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant threat to enterprise network security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20727 primarily focus on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to NeDi version 1.7Cp3 or later, which includes patches addressing these command injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection. The recommended approach involves parameter escaping, input whitelisting, and proper output encoding to prevent malicious payloads from being interpreted as commands. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network monitoring tools. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and implementing proper parameter validation across all network management applications to prevent similar command injection scenarios.