External risk intelligence

Grafana Directory Traversal Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-43798

Grafana instances have a directory traversal vulnerability, potentially exposing local files and sensitive data. This affects organizations using the affected software, creating a risk of unauthorized information access. Prompt mitigation is advised.

4Halo Surface Signal

Path Traversal

Grafana

8.0.1 to before 8.0.78.1.0 to before 8.1.88.2.0 to before 8.2.78.0.08.3.0

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-43798

Grafana is a widely deployed observability and monitoring platform. It is typically configured as a web application accessible over the network to authorized users or teams. Given its role as a dashboarding tool, it is commonly exposed as a web interface, making the vulnerable path, which is part of the application's public web structure, reachable in many standard deployment environments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Grafana, an open-source platform for monitoring and observability, has a vulnerability that could allow unauthorized access to local files. This flaw exists within specific versions of the software. The potential business impact includes the exposure of sensitive information stored on affected systems.

  • Grafana monitoring and observability platform
  • Unauthorized access to local files
  • Exposure of sensitive organizational data

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

Grafana, an open-source observability platform, has a vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to local files. This occurs when a specially crafted URL targets a specific path within the Grafana application. An attacker can exploit this to read sensitive information from the system where Grafana is hosted.

  • Exposure condition: Publicly accessible Grafana instance.
  • Attacker starting point: Network access.
  • Trigger and result: Malicious URL leads to unauthorized file access.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

The identified vulnerability in Grafana allows unauthorized access to local files. This could enable attackers to view sensitive information stored on the affected systems. Given the potential for data exposure, organizations utilizing vulnerable Grafana versions should consider immediate action to mitigate this risk.

  • Attackers with moderate skill.
  • Direct network access to Grafana.
  • Significant data exposure risk.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

An organization utilizing the Grafana platform should address a known vulnerability that permits unauthorized access to local files. This vulnerability may affect Grafana instances, potentially exposing sensitive data. Prompt action is recommended to protect organizational assets and mitigate business risk.

  • Identify Grafana assets.
  • Limit network access to Grafana.
  • Update Grafana and confirm the fix.
  • Monitor for related anomalies.

Frequently asked questions

What is Grafana and what is its primary function?

Grafana is an open-source platform designed for monitoring and observability. Its main purpose is to enable users to visualize and analyze data from various sources, often used for tracking system performance and gaining operational insights by creating dashboards that display key metrics and statuses.

What type of vulnerability does CVE-2021-43798 describe?

CVE-2021-43798 describes a directory traversal vulnerability within the Grafana software. This weakness, classified as CWE-22, allows an attacker to access files on the server that they would normally be prohibited from accessing by manipulating URL paths.

How can an attacker exploit the Grafana vulnerability to access local files?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted URL request to a Grafana instance. This malicious URL targets a specific path within the application, enabling the attacker to read sensitive information from the underlying system where Grafana is hosted.

What is the relevance of CVE-2021-43798 concerning Grafana's use as an observability platform?

Grafana is a widely used observability and monitoring platform, often exposed as a network-accessible web interface. The directory traversal vulnerability (CVE-2021-43798) affects its public web structure, making it reachable in many standard deployments and posing a risk of unauthorized file access.

What actions should be taken to respond to the Grafana directory traversal vulnerability?

Organizations using Grafana should promptly identify all instances of the software, restrict network access where possible, and update to patched versions of Grafana. Confirming that the fix has been applied and monitoring for unusual activity are also recommended steps to mitigate risks.

References