CVE-2019-19499 in Grafana
Summary
by MITRE
Grafana <= 6.4.3 has an Arbitrary File Read vulnerability, which could be exploited by an authenticated attacker that has privileges to modify the data source configurations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19499 represents a critical arbitrary file read flaw within Grafana versions 6.4.3 and earlier, posing significant security risks to organizations relying on this popular open-source monitoring platform. This vulnerability specifically affects the data source configuration functionality, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by authenticated users who possess the ability to modify data source settings. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the Grafana application's handling of file paths during data source configuration modifications, allowing malicious actors to craft requests that can traverse the file system and read arbitrary files on the server hosting the Grafana instance.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker with sufficient privileges attempts to configure a data source that points to a local file path, bypassing proper access controls and file system boundaries. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability exists because Grafana fails to properly validate and sanitize user-provided file paths before using them in file system operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the path to access sensitive files such as configuration files, credential stores, or system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can result in severe consequences for organizations using affected Grafana versions, as it enables attackers to extract sensitive information including database credentials, API keys, and other confidential data stored in configuration files. The attack requires only authentication privileges to modify data source configurations, which many organizations grant to users who need access to monitoring dashboards and data visualization capabilities. This means that an attacker with limited access rights could potentially escalate their privileges and gain access to critical system information, leading to potential data breaches, unauthorized access to backend systems, and further compromise of the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability also enables attackers to read system files that may contain additional sensitive information, making it particularly dangerous for environments where Grafana is deployed with elevated privileges or where sensitive data is stored on the same server.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves an attacker creating a malicious data source configuration that references a file path outside of the intended directory structure, allowing the application to read files that should normally be restricted. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly when dealing with file system operations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Grafana version 6.4.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict data source configuration privileges to only trusted users, implement proper network segmentation, and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and ensure proper validation of user inputs. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous data source configuration changes and file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.