CVE-2021-35501 in PandoraFMS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2021
PandoraFMS
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2021
CVE-2021-35501 represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting PandoraFMS, a widely deployed network monitoring and management platform. This vulnerability resides within the application's authentication mechanism and allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass the login process entirely. The flaw manifests in the way the system handles session management and credential validation, creating a path for malicious actors to gain administrative access without proper authorization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the core security architecture of the monitoring platform, which typically handles sensitive network data and system information.
The technical implementation of this authentication bypass stems from improper input validation and session handling within the PandoraFMS web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific HTTP requests that manipulate session tokens or bypass credential checks altogether. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software applications. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to escalate privileges from a regular user to administrator level without needing valid credentials, making it a severe security risk for organizations relying on PandoraFMS for network monitoring operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables comprehensive system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations using PandoraFMS may face significant security breaches where attackers can monitor network traffic, access system configurations, modify monitoring rules, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK tactics including initial access through exploitation of vulnerable applications, privilege escalation by bypassing authentication, and defense evasion by maintaining persistent access. The affected systems often contain sensitive operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks or used to compromise other network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-35501 should prioritize immediate patch application from the vendor, as this addresses the root cause of the authentication bypass. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to PandoraFMS installations and enforce strict access controls. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts, implementing intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular security assessments of the monitoring infrastructure. Security teams should also consider temporary network restrictions or disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces until patches are deployed. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security monitoring practices to detect and respond to exploitation attempts effectively.