CVE-2022-45437 in Pandora FMS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Artica PFMS Pandora FMS v765 on all allows Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). A user with edition privileges can create a Payload in the reporting dashboard module. An admin user can observe the Payload without interaction and attacker can get information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2023
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that exists within the Artica PFMS Pandora FMS version 765 and all subsequent releases. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, specifically within the reporting dashboard module where users with edition privileges can inject malicious payloads. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct descendant of the well-known XSS attack vector that has plagued web applications for decades. The security implications extend beyond simple script execution as this flaw operates in a context where administrative users can observe the malicious content without any user interaction, effectively creating a server-side XSS scenario.
The technical exploitation mechanism occurs when an attacker with edition privileges crafts a malicious payload within the reporting dashboard functionality and saves it to the system. When administrative users subsequently view the dashboard module, the malicious code executes in their browser context, potentially allowing the attacker to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or extract sensitive information from the administrative interface. This particular variant demonstrates how privilege escalation can compound XSS vulnerabilities, as the attacker needs only edition privileges rather than administrative access to create the malicious content. The vulnerability operates under the ATT&CK framework's T1566.001 technique for initial access through malicious inputs, specifically targeting the web application layer where user-generated content is rendered without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a persistent means of accessing administrative interfaces through the reporting dashboard module. Administrative users who regularly monitor this module become unwitting victims of the attack, as the malicious payload executes automatically when they view the content. The information that can be extracted includes session tokens, administrative credentials, system configuration details, and potentially sensitive data within the Pandora FMS environment. This vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor through which attackers can maintain access to the administrative interface without requiring additional authentication mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this security tool for network monitoring and management. The vulnerability's persistence is enhanced by the fact that the payload remains stored within the system and continues to execute whenever administrative users access the affected module.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the reporting dashboard module. Organizations must ensure that all user-generated content is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, utilizing context-specific encoding techniques for different output contexts such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits of input handling mechanisms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The solution should align with OWASP's XSS prevention guidelines, particularly focusing on the principle of least privilege by restricting the types of content that can be generated in administrative modules. Regular updates to the Pandora FMS platform and implementation of web application firewalls can serve as additional protective layers against exploitation attempts, while user education about the risks of creating potentially malicious content in shared administrative environments should be emphasized.