CVE-2024-1302 in Monitool
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2024
Information exposure vulnerability in Badger Meter Monitool affecting versions up to 4.6.3 and earlier. A local attacker could change the application's file parameter to a log file obtaining all sensitive information such as database credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1302 represents a critical information exposure flaw within Badger Meter Monitool software versions up to and including 4.6.3. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper access controls within the application's file parameter handling mechanism. The flaw allows a local attacker to manipulate the application's file parameter to target and access sensitive log files that contain database credentials and other confidential information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and demonstrates a classic privilege escalation scenario where local access can lead to information disclosure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1083 "File and Directory Discovery" and T1566 "Phishing" as attackers can leverage this information to conduct further attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied file paths within the Monitool application. When the application processes file parameters, it does not adequately restrict access to system files or implement proper access controls that would prevent unauthorized file access. The local attacker can exploit this by manipulating the application's file parameter to point to log files that contain database connection strings, user credentials, and potentially other sensitive configuration data. These log files often contain unencrypted or minimally encrypted credentials that provide direct access to backend databases and systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges to exploit, typically only local system access, which makes it accessible to attackers who have already gained foothold on the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating cascading security risks for organizations using Badger Meter Monitool. Once an attacker gains access to database credentials through this vulnerability, they can potentially access all data stored in the backend databases, modify critical system configurations, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the entire monitoring system. The exposure of database credentials can lead to unauthorized data access, data corruption, or complete system compromise. Organizations relying on Badger Meter Monitool for critical infrastructure monitoring face significant risk as this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain access to operational data, potentially affecting industrial control systems, water metering, or utility management systems. The vulnerability also impacts compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, as it represents a failure to implement proper access controls and information protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1302 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to the latest version of Badger Meter Monitool that contains patches for this vulnerability, typically version 4.6.4 or later. System administrators should implement proper file access controls and ensure that log files containing sensitive information are properly secured with restricted permissions. The application should be configured to validate all file parameters through input sanitization and path validation techniques, preventing directory traversal attacks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized file access attempts and log file modifications. Additionally, organizations should implement principle of least privilege access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the monitoring system and its associated log files. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit local access to critical systems and prevent lateral movement if an attacker gains access through this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar information exposure vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.