CVE-2023-51387 in Hertzbeat
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2023
Hertzbeat is an open source, real-time monitoring system. Hertzbeat uses aviatorscript to evaluate alert expressions. The alert expressions are supposed to be some simple expressions. However, due to improper sanitization for alert expressions in version prior to 1.4.1, a malicious user can use a crafted alert expression to execute any command on hertzbeat server. A malicious user who has access to alert define function can execute any command in hertzbeat instance. This issue is fixed in version 1.4.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51387 affects HertzBeat, an open-source real-time monitoring system designed to provide comprehensive infrastructure and application monitoring capabilities. This monitoring platform utilizes AviatorScript as its expression evaluation engine for alerting mechanisms, enabling users to define custom alert conditions based on various metrics and performance indicators. The system's architecture allows administrators and authorized users to configure alert expressions that trigger notifications when specific conditions are met, making it a critical component for system health management and operational response.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization within the alert expression processing functionality of HertzBeat versions prior to 1.4.1. When users define alert expressions through the system's interface, the platform evaluates these expressions using AviatorScript engine without proper validation or sanitization of user-supplied input. This vulnerability represents a classic command injection flaw where malicious users can craft specially formatted alert expressions that bypass normal input validation and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying server. The vulnerability specifically impacts the alert definition function, which serves as a privileged interface for users who have been granted appropriate permissions within the monitoring system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on HertzBeat for their monitoring infrastructure. A malicious user with access to the alert definition functionality can execute arbitrary commands on the HertzBeat server with the privileges of the running service, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This includes but is not limited to data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability creates a direct path for attackers to gain unauthorized access to monitoring infrastructure, which often serves as a critical component in enterprise security operations and can provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive monitoring data.
The security implications extend beyond simple command execution as this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a privilege escalation vector within the application's access control model. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as it enables adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the monitoring service. Organizations should note that the vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.4.1, making it crucial to implement immediate patching strategies and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in version 1.4.1 addresses the sanitization issue by properly validating and escaping user input before processing alert expressions through the AviatorScript engine.
Organizations utilizing HertzBeat should prioritize immediate upgrade to version 1.4.1 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include restricting access to alert definition functionality to only trusted users, implementing network segmentation around monitoring systems, and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns in system logs. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of alert configurations and user permissions to identify any potential compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in script execution engines and highlights the need for proper security controls in monitoring and alerting systems that may be exposed to privileged user access.