CVE-2018-21022 in Web
Summary
by MITRE
makeXML_ListServices.php in Centreon Web before 2.8.28 allows attackers to perform SQL injections via the host_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21022 affects Centreon Web versions prior to 2.8.28 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the makeXML_ListServices.php script. This vulnerability resides in the web-based interface of Centreon, a widely used network and infrastructure monitoring solution that helps organizations track system performance and availability across their IT environments. The affected component specifically processes host identification parameters when generating XML service lists for monitoring dashboards and reports, making it a potential entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise the monitoring infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the host_id parameter which is improperly validated and sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. When an attacker submits a malicious host_id value containing SQL payload characters, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input, allowing the injected SQL commands to execute within the database context. This flaw falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as those occurring when user-supplied data is directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper sanitization. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially compromising the entire monitoring ecosystem that relies on the underlying database for service status information and configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise as it represents a significant threat to the integrity of network monitoring operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive monitoring data including service configurations, host information, and potentially credentials stored within the Centreon database. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Centreon serves as a critical component for operational visibility and incident response. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190 which addresses exploitation of remote services. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Centreon instances are often accessible from multiple network segments and may contain privileged information about system availability and service status that could be leveraged for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-21022 require immediate patching of affected Centreon Web installations to version 2.8.28 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Centreon web interfaces and establish robust monitoring for suspicious SQL injection attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and using parameterized database queries to prevent malicious SQL payloads from being executed. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Centreon installations and review access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with the monitoring interface. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers against SQL injection attacks targeting the Centreon web interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation practices in monitoring and management applications that handle sensitive operational data.