CVE-2023-6740 in Checkmk
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2024
Privilege escalation in jar_signature agent plugin in Checkmk before 2.2.0p17, 2.1.0p37 and 2.0.0p39 allows local user to escalate privileges
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6740 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the jar_signature agent plugin of Checkmk monitoring software. This issue affects multiple versions including Checkmk 2.2.0p17, 2.1.0p37, and 2.0.0p39, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this monitoring platform. The vulnerability specifically targets local users who can exploit a flaw in the plugin's signature verification mechanism to gain elevated privileges on the system. The jar_signature agent plugin is designed to verify the authenticity of java archive files within the monitoring framework, but the implementation contains a critical oversight that allows unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the jar_signature plugin implementation. When processing java archive files, the plugin fails to properly validate user permissions and execution contexts, creating a path for local users to manipulate the signature verification process. This flaw aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control. The vulnerability enables a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to bypass system security controls and access sensitive resources. The flaw operates by exploiting a race condition or improper privilege checking during the signature validation process, where the plugin does not adequately verify whether the executing user has appropriate permissions to perform the operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-6740 is substantial for organizations using Checkmk monitoring systems, as it provides a direct pathway for local users to escalate their privileges and potentially gain administrative access to monitored systems. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who already have a foothold on the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have local access. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify monitoring configurations, access sensitive system data, or establish persistent access points. Organizations running affected Checkmk versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments governed by standards such as iso 27001 or pci dss where monitoring system integrity is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6740 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Checkmk installations to versions 2.2.0p17, 2.1.0p37, or 2.0.0p39, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement additional access controls and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, focusing on unusual privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in security-critical components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure, implement principle of least privilege for local accounts, and establish robust patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in other components. Regular security audits of third-party plugins and agent components should be conducted to identify potential privilege escalation vectors, particularly focusing on components that handle file verification and system-level operations.