CVE-2023-28849 in GLPI
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
GLPI is a free asset and IT management software package. Starting in version 10.0.0 and prior to version 10.0.7, GLPI inventory endpoint can be used to drive a SQL injection attack. It can also be used to store malicious code that could be used to perform XSS attack. By default, GLPI inventory endpoint requires no authentication. Version 10.0.7 contains a patch for this issue. As a workaround, disable native inventory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28849 affects GLPI, a widely-used open-source asset and IT management software package that serves organizations for inventory tracking, help desk management, and IT resource monitoring. This security flaw exists in versions 10.0.0 through 10.0.6, creating a critical attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the GLPI inventory endpoint which serves as a data collection interface for system inventory information. The lack of authentication requirements for this endpoint creates an inherently dangerous condition where unauthorized parties can immediately begin exploiting the system's weaknesses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the GLPI inventory endpoint. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious SQL commands through the inventory data submission process, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary database operations. This SQL injection capability can result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability enables cross-site scripting attacks through the storage of malicious code within the inventory system, which can then be executed when other users view inventory information. The combination of these attack vectors creates a particularly dangerous scenario where an attacker can both infiltrate the database and establish persistent malicious code execution within the user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system infiltration and persistent access for threat actors. Organizations utilizing GLPI without proper patching are at risk of unauthorized access to sensitive IT asset information, including hardware configurations, software inventories, and potentially user credentials stored within the system. The default unauthenticated access requirement means that any organization with a GLPI installation accessible over the network is immediately vulnerable to exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprises that rely on GLPI for critical asset management and IT operations, as it can undermine the integrity of their entire IT inventory system. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects the core inventory functionality that most organizations depend upon for maintaining accurate IT asset tracking.
The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to GLPI version 10.0.7 or later, which includes specific patches addressing both the SQL injection and XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations unable to immediately apply the patch should implement the workaround of disabling the native inventory functionality to prevent exploitation. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 for SQL injection and CWE-79 for cross-site scripting, representing fundamental web application security weaknesses that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability map to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application, T1071.004 for application layer protocol web protocols, and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering or system exploitation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to GLPI systems, enable web application firewalls to detect malicious injection attempts, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components.