CVE-2018-21024 in Web
Summary
by MITRE
licenseUpload.php in Centreon Web before 2.8.27 allows attackers to upload arbitrary files via a POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21024 affects Centreon Web versions prior to 2.8.27 and represents a critical file upload flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability resides in the licenseUpload.php component of the Centreon web interface, which is commonly used for managing monitoring licenses within network monitoring solutions. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate file type restrictions during the upload process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls and deploy potentially harmful payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a POST request manipulation that allows attackers to upload files with potentially dangerous extensions or content. Without proper validation of file types, file sizes, or content signatures, the licenseUpload.php script accepts uploads from unauthenticated users, creating an attack surface where malicious files can be executed within the context of the web application. This weakness directly maps to CWE-434, which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications accept files from untrusted sources without proper validation mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to upload PHP files, shell scripts, or other executable content that can be executed by the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to monitored network environments. Centreon Web deployments typically run with elevated privileges to perform monitoring tasks, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive monitoring data, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain initial access. Organizations using Centreon for network monitoring face significant risk as the compromised system can provide attackers with visibility into critical network assets and monitoring configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-21024 require immediate patching of affected Centreon Web installations to version 2.8.27 or later, which includes proper file validation and restriction mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional security controls such as restricting file upload functionality to authenticated administrators only, implementing strict file type validation with whitelisting approaches, and configuring web server restrictions to prevent execution of uploaded files. Network segmentation and monitoring of file upload activities can help detect suspicious behavior. Security teams should also review and harden the web application's configuration to prevent unauthorized access to upload endpoints and ensure proper authentication controls are in place for all administrative functions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure.