CVE-2019-17108 in Web
Summary
by MITRE
Local file inclusion in brokerPerformance.php in Centreon Web before 2.8.28 allows attackers to disclose information or perform a stored XSS attack on a user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17108 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the Centreon Web monitoring platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.8.28. This vulnerability exists in the brokerPerformance.php component and exposes the system to both information disclosure and stored cross-site scripting attacks, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on Centreon for network and system monitoring. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the application's file inclusion behavior. Centreon Web serves as a comprehensive monitoring solution that tracks network services, hosts, and applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to monitoring data and system resources. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of affected user sessions, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this local file inclusion vulnerability occurs when the brokerPerformance.php script processes user-supplied parameters without adequate validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious file paths that bypass normal access controls. This flaw typically manifests when the application accepts file path inputs through GET or POST parameters and directly incorporates them into file inclusion functions without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that target local files on the server, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources. The stored XSS component of this vulnerability emerges when the application fails to properly escape user input before storing it in the database, allowing malicious scripts to be executed whenever affected users view the compromised content. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be leveraged for both information gathering and persistent attack delivery, creating a persistent threat vector that can remain active even after initial exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-17108 within Centreon environments can be severe, particularly for organizations that depend on centralized monitoring solutions for critical infrastructure management. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive monitoring data including system configurations, network topology information, and potentially credentials used for accessing monitored systems. The stored XSS component poses additional risks by enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts within user sessions, potentially leading to credential theft, privilege escalation, or further lateral movement within the network. Organizations using Centreon for monitoring critical infrastructure, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, or industrial control systems, face significant operational risks when this vulnerability remains unpatched. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Centreon typically runs with elevated privileges and has access to extensive network monitoring data, making it a valuable target for both nation-state actors and organized cybercriminal groups. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting), with potential mappings to ATT&CK techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application).
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of Centreon Web installations to address CVE-2019-17108, with particular attention to versions prior to 2.8.28. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Centreon Web interfaces, restrict file inclusion capabilities within the application, and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning for similar file inclusion patterns across all monitoring and management applications. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and hardening the application's file access controls, implementing proper output encoding for user-generated content, and establishing monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential system compromise. Security teams should also conduct regular training on identifying and responding to similar vulnerabilities, as the techniques used to exploit local file inclusion flaws often follow predictable patterns that can be mitigated through proper security awareness and defensive measures.