CVE-2023-41812 in Pandora FMS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2023
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in Pandora FMS on all allows Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs. This vulnerability allowed PHP executable files to be uploaded through the file manager. This issue affects Pandora FMS: from 700 through 773.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-41812 represents a critical security flaw in Pandora FMS version 7.0.0 through 7.7.3 that stems from inadequate file upload validation mechanisms. This weakness enables unauthorized users to bypass access controls and upload malicious files with dangerous extensions, particularly PHP executable files that can be executed on the server. The vulnerability occurs within the file manager functionality of the application, which fails to properly validate file types and extensions before allowing uploads to proceed. This unrestricted file upload capability directly violates security principles by permitting arbitrary code execution on the target system, as the uploaded PHP files can be executed by the web server with the privileges of the web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in input validation and access control enforcement within the Pandora FMS application. When users attempt to upload files through the file manager interface, the system does not adequately verify the file content or extension against a whitelist of allowed types. This allows attackers to upload PHP scripts that can execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects versions 7.0.0 through 7.7.3, indicating a widespread issue across multiple releases of the monitoring platform. This flaw aligns with CWE-434, which describes the weakness of unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type, and represents a classic case of inadequate input sanitization and access control enforcement.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41812 is severe and potentially devastating for organizations using affected Pandora FMS versions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain remote code execution capabilities, allowing them to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt services. The ability to upload PHP files means that attackers can deploy web shells, reverse shells, or other malicious payloads that can be triggered through subsequent web requests. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to escalate privileges or compromise the entire monitoring infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential lateral movement within networks where Pandora FMS is deployed, as the compromised system can serve as a launching point for further attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest stable version of Pandora FMS where the vulnerability has been patched, as this provides the most comprehensive protection against exploitation. Additionally, implementing strict file type validation and extension whitelisting within the file manager functionality can prevent malicious uploads even if other controls fail. Network segmentation and proper access control enforcement should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file upload activities and execution of PHP files within the web server environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell), as it allows for both application exploitation and command execution through uploaded scripts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and file integrity monitoring solutions to provide additional protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.