CVE-2023-30534 in Cacti
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2023
Cacti is an open source operational monitoring and fault management framework. There are two instances of insecure deserialization in Cacti version 1.2.24. While a viable gadget chain exists in Cacti’s vendor directory (phpseclib), the necessary gadgets are not included, making them inaccessible and the insecure deserializations not exploitable. Each instance of insecure deserialization is due to using the unserialize function without sanitizing the user input. Cacti has a “safe” deserialization that attempts to sanitize the content and check for specific values before calling unserialize, but it isn’t used in these instances. The vulnerable code lies in graphs_new.php, specifically within the host_new_graphs_save function. This issue has been addressed in version 1.2.25. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-30534 represents a critical insecure deserialization flaw within the Cacti monitoring framework, specifically affecting version 1.2.24. This issue stems from the improper handling of user-supplied data during the deserialization process, creating potential pathways for remote code execution. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct instances within the application's codebase, both originating from the graphs_new.php file and particularly within the host_new_graphs_save function. These insecure deserialization points directly violate fundamental security principles by invoking the unserialize function without adequate input sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a sophisticated attack surface that leverages the application's reliance on phpseclib as a vendor library. While a viable gadget chain exists within the phpseclib library, the necessary components are not included in the Cacti installation, rendering the exploitation path seemingly inaccessible. However, the underlying flaw remains present in the code structure, creating a potential security risk that could be exploited through alternative means or when the gadget chain becomes available. The vulnerability specifically targets the deserialization process where user input flows directly into the unserialize function without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that could execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it represents a potential entry point for attackers to gain unauthorized access to monitoring infrastructure. The Cacti framework serves as a critical operational monitoring tool for network administrators, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could allow attackers to compromise entire monitoring environments. The fact that Cacti implements a "safe" deserialization mechanism that attempts to sanitize content and validate specific values indicates that the developers were aware of the potential risks but failed to apply this protection consistently across all code paths. This inconsistency creates a dangerous gap in the application's security posture, particularly in the host_new_graphs_save function where the vulnerable code resides.
The security implications of CVE-2023-30534 align with CWE-502, which specifically addresses insecure deserialization vulnerabilities in software applications. This classification emphasizes the fundamental nature of the flaw as an improper handling of serialized data that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the use of deserialization attacks to execute malicious code, further demonstrating the potential for this vulnerability to be exploited in real-world scenarios. The lack of available workarounds compounds the risk, as organizations cannot implement temporary mitigations while awaiting the official patch release. The vulnerability has been successfully addressed in version 1.2.25, highlighting the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing proper patch management procedures.
Organizations utilizing Cacti monitoring frameworks must prioritize immediate upgrade to version 1.2.25 or later to eliminate this vulnerability from their security posture. The absence of known workarounds means that defensive measures are limited to waiting for the official patch release, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where timely patching may not be immediately possible. Security teams should also conduct thorough assessments of their monitoring infrastructure to identify any potential exploitation attempts or unauthorized access that may have occurred prior to the patch deployment. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the consistent application of security controls throughout all application components, particularly in frameworks that handle sensitive operational data.