CVE-2023-24515 in Pandora FMS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2023
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in API checker of Pandora FMS. Application does not have a check on the URL scheme used while retrieving API URL. Rather than validating the http/https scheme, the application allows other scheme such as file, which could allow a malicious user to fetch internal file content. This issue affects Pandora FMS v767 version and prior versions on all platforms.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2023
The CVE-2023-24515 vulnerability represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Pandora FMS monitoring platform's API checker functionality. This vulnerability exists in versions 767 and earlier, affecting all platform implementations and creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this system for infrastructure monitoring. The core issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly restrict the URL schemes accepted by the application's API retrieval process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Pandora FMS API checker component processes external URLs without proper scheme validation. Rather than enforcing strict validation for http and https protocols, the application permits alternative schemes including file:// which enables attackers to craft malicious requests that can traverse the server's file system. This flaw allows unauthorized access to internal system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive information that should remain protected within the server environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's trust model, where it assumes all provided URLs are legitimate and properly formatted without proper sanitization.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to severe data leakage and system compromise risks. An attacker can leverage the SSRF capability to access internal files, potentially obtaining database credentials, application configuration files, or system-level information that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass network segmentation and access resources that should be isolated from external access. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Pandora FMS is commonly deployed for monitoring critical infrastructure components, as it could enable attackers to gather intelligence about internal network topology and system configurations.
The security implications extend beyond simple file access to encompass potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-918 which specifically addresses server-side request forgery vulnerabilities, while ATT&CK framework references this as part of the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol usage. Organizations utilizing Pandora FMS in production environments face significant exposure risks, particularly when the monitoring system has access to sensitive internal resources or when it operates in environments with minimal network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict URL scheme validation within the API checker component, ensuring that only http and https protocols are accepted for external requests. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Pandora FMS, as version 768 and later releases contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-level restrictions to prevent outbound requests to internal services, deploying web application firewalls with SSRF detection capabilities, and establishing proper input validation controls. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all API endpoints to identify similar validation gaps and implement consistent security controls across the entire application stack.