CVE-2023-31209 in Checkmk
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2023
Improper neutralization of active check command arguments in Checkmk < 2.1.0p32, < 2.0.0p38, < 2.2.0p4 leads to arbitrary command execution for authenticated users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-31209 represents a critical security flaw in Checkmk monitoring software affecting versions prior to specific patch releases. This issue stems from improper neutralization of active check command arguments within the software's command execution framework. The flaw allows authenticated users to manipulate command arguments in a manner that bypasses normal input validation mechanisms, creating a pathway for arbitrary command execution on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the way Checkmk processes active check commands through its monitoring infrastructure. When authenticated users submit check commands through the web interface or API endpoints, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape command arguments before passing them to underlying system execution layers. This improper neutralization creates a command injection vector where maliciously crafted arguments can be interpreted by the system shell as additional commands rather than data parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects the active check functionality within Checkmk's distributed monitoring architecture.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on Checkmk for system monitoring and infrastructure management. An authenticated attacker with access to the monitoring platform can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Checkmk service account, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack surface extends beyond simple command execution to include privilege escalation scenarios where the compromised service account may have elevated permissions within the monitored environment. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of monitoring data, as attackers can manipulate or exfiltrate information through the compromised monitoring infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing improper neutralization of special elements used in system commands. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant patches released by Checkmk for versions 2.1.0p32, 2.0.0p38, and 2.2.0p4. Additional defensive measures should include restricting network access to monitoring interfaces, implementing least privilege principles for Checkmk user accounts, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns within system logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical applications and highlights the potential for authenticated users to escalate privileges through command injection flaws.