CVE-2021-37557 in Centreon
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2021
A SQL injection vulnerability in image generation in Centreon before 20.04.14, 20.10.8, and 21.04.2 allows remote authenticated (but low-privileged) attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the include/views/graphs/generateGraphs/generateImage.php index parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-37557 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Centreon monitoring platform that affects versions prior to 20.04.14, 20.10.8, and 21.04.2. This security weakness resides in the image generation functionality of the platform, specifically within the include/views/graphs/generateGraphs/generateImage.php component. The flaw manifests when the index parameter is processed during graph generation operations, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the monitored environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the Centreon application codebase. When an authenticated user submits a request containing a maliciously crafted index parameter to the generateImage.php endpoint, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This primitive handling of user-supplied data creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the context of the database connection. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform arbitrary database operations including data retrieval, modification, and deletion. Low-privileged authenticated users can leverage this weakness to escalate their access within the Centreon environment, potentially gaining insights into network infrastructure, system configurations, and operational data that should remain restricted. The consequences can range from information disclosure to complete system compromise, particularly if the database connection possesses elevated privileges or if the database contains sensitive operational data from the monitored network infrastructure. Attackers could also use this vulnerability to modify monitoring configurations, potentially leading to detection gaps or false positives in security monitoring systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-37557 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches for Centreon versions 20.04.14, 20.10.8, and 21.04.2. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at the application level, parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and network segmentation to limit access to the Centreon platform. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strictly enforced to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the affected functionality, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the monitoring infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation practices in enterprise monitoring solutions.