CVE-2024-28828 in Checkmk
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2024
Cross-Site request forgery in Checkmk < 2.3.0p8, < 2.2.0p29, < 2.1.0p45, and <= 2.0.0p39 (EOL) could lead to 1-click compromize of the site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2025
Cross site request forgery vulnerability in Checkmk versions prior to 2.3.0p8, 2.2.0p29, 2.1.0p45, and 2.0.0p39 represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks where the attacker tricks the victim's browser into submitting a request without their knowledge or consent. The flaw exists in the web application's lack of proper validation for requests originating from external sources, particularly when dealing with administrative functions that modify system configurations or user permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Checkmk's failure to implement robust anti-CSRF tokens or sufficient request validation mechanisms. When users navigate to malicious websites or click on compromised links, the attacker can craft requests that leverage the user's existing authenticated session to perform actions such as creating new user accounts, modifying system settings, or executing administrative commands. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for what security researchers term "1-click compromise" where a single malicious action can result in complete system takeover. This occurs because the affected versions of Checkmk do not properly verify the origin of requests, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms through carefully crafted HTTP requests that appear legitimate to the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or modification. Organizations running affected Checkmk versions face potential complete system compromise where attackers can establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive monitoring data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects monitoring systems that are often considered critical components of IT infrastructure, making the potential damage substantial. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to network monitoring data, potentially exposing sensitive information about system vulnerabilities, network topology, and operational procedures. The consequences are particularly severe for organizations that rely heavily on Checkmk for infrastructure monitoring and security operations, as the compromised system could provide attackers with comprehensive visibility into the monitored environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Checkmk versions to the latest stable releases. Organizations should prioritize updating their monitoring systems to versions that implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms including the use of anti-CSRF tokens, referer header validation, and SameSite cookie attributes. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests, and monitor for unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 for credential access through social engineering and T1071 for application layer protocols, highlighting the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure to identify any other potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited in conjunction with this CSRF flaw, ensuring that their security posture remains robust against evolving threat landscapes.