CVE-2022-43979 in Pandora FMS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2023
There is a Path Traversal that leads to a Local File Inclusion in Pandora FMS v764. A function is called to check that the parameter that the user has inserted does not contain malicious characteres, but this check is insufficient. An attacker could insert an absolute path to overcome the heck, thus being able to incluse any PHP file that resides on the disk. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to a remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2022-43979 represents a critical path traversal flaw in Pandora FMS version 764 that enables local file inclusion attacks through inadequate input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the application's file handling functionality where a sanitization function fails to properly validate user-supplied parameters, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to bypass security checks and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user input without sufficient sanitization, permitting attackers to inject absolute paths that circumvent the intended security controls designed to prevent malicious file access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file path parameters within the Pandora FMS framework, which operates under the CWE-22 weakness category as a path traversal vulnerability. The application's security controls fail to adequately filter or sanitize input containing forward slashes or backslashes that would normally be rejected during normal operation. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that includes absolute paths such as /etc/passwd or other system files, effectively bypassing the existing validation mechanisms that were intended to prevent such attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the principle of insufficient input validation, which is a common pattern in web application security flaws that allows attackers to manipulate file access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-43979 extends beyond simple file access to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could compromise entire server environments. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can include any PHP file present on the target system, which may include configuration files, database connection details, or other sensitive application components. This access level allows for complete system compromise through the execution of arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system takeover, or further lateral movement within network environments where Pandora FMS is deployed. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PHP files and T1566 for initial access through web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures that enforce strict path validation before file operations are executed. Organizations should implement whitelisting approaches that only allow predefined safe file paths and reject any input containing absolute paths or directory traversal sequences such as .. or /. Additionally, the application should enforce proper file access controls and implement least privilege principles for file system access. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions of Pandora FMS that address this vulnerability, and network segmentation should be implemented to limit potential attack surface. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components, as this flaw demonstrates the critical importance of robust input sanitization in preventing file inclusion attacks.