CVE-2024-6052 in Checkmk
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2024
Stored XSS in Checkmk before versions 2.3.0p8, 2.2.0p29, 2.1.0p45, and 2.0.0 (EOL) allows users to execute arbitrary scripts by injecting HTML elements
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6052 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in Checkmk monitoring software that affects multiple versions including the end-of-life 2.0.0 release. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently stored and rendered in web interfaces. The flaw exists in the core web application components responsible for processing and displaying user-generated content, creating an environment where malicious actors can persistently inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users interact with web forms, configuration interfaces, or any input fields that accept HTML content without proper sanitization measures. The attack vector leverages the fact that user input containing malicious HTML elements is stored server-side and later retrieved and rendered in subsequent web page requests, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victims' browsers. This stored nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before including it in web pages. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Checkmk for infrastructure monitoring, as attackers could potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments where Checkmk is deployed. Organizations using affected versions face exposure to persistent attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to complete system compromise, especially in environments where Checkmk is used for critical infrastructure monitoring. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1531 (Account Access Removal) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) as attackers can leverage the stored XSS to manipulate application behavior and access user sessions. The risk is amplified in environments where Checkmk is integrated with other systems, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to monitoring data and potentially enable further attacks against monitored systems. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Checkmk, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security reviews of all user input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in monitoring and management tools where privileged access is common. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious user activities and ensure that all user-facing interfaces properly sanitize and validate all input data to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles.