CVE-2022-26308 in FMS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
Pandora FMS v7.0NG.760 and below allows an improper access control in Configuration (Credential store) where a user with the role of Operator (Write) could create, delete, view existing keys which are outside the intended role.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26308 affects Pandora FMS versions 7.0NG.760 and earlier, representing a critical improper access control flaw within the system's credential store functionality. This issue specifically targets the configuration management component where users assigned the Operator role with write permissions can exploit a privilege escalation vector to manipulate cryptographic keys and credentials that should remain outside their designated access scope. The flaw exists in the authorization mechanisms that govern how different user roles interact with the credential storage system, creating a significant security gap in the platform's access control model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions when accessing the credential store within Pandora FMS configuration modules. An attacker with the Operator role can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized operations including creating new credential entries, deleting existing keys, and viewing sensitive information that should only be accessible to users with higher privilege levels such as administrators or system managers. This improper access control violation directly contravenes the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the system's role-based access control implementation. The vulnerability manifests through the configuration interface where credential management functions are exposed to users whose roles do not logically warrant such extensive access to sensitive system components.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-26308 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges and gain access to critical system resources. A malicious operator could use this vulnerability to inject malicious credentials, delete legitimate keys, or extract sensitive authentication information that could compromise the entire monitoring platform. This access control failure creates an attack vector that could lead to further exploitation, including potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure that Pandora FMS monitors. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the credential store, as unauthorized users can modify or extract sensitive information without proper authorization, potentially leading to system compromise or data breaches.
Organizations utilizing Pandora FMS versions affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions that address the access control implementation flaws. The recommended remediation involves applying the vendor-supplied security patches that correct the credential store permission validation logic and ensure proper role-based access controls are enforced. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough audits of existing user roles and permissions to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual credential store activities and access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management.
The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where the separation of concerns between different user roles is inadequate. The system fails to properly validate that users with Operator roles cannot access credential management functions that should be restricted to higher-privilege administrators. This misconfiguration creates a dangerous situation where users with limited access can potentially escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system components, undermining the security posture of the entire monitoring infrastructure. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for credential management functions and regular security assessments to identify similar access control weaknesses in their systems.