External risk intelligence

Cacti Command Injection Vulnerability Exposes Servers To Code Execution.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2022-46169

A critical vulnerability in the Cacti platform allows unauthenticated users to execute arbitrary code on affected servers. This presents a significant business risk, as attackers can gain system control, leading to data compromise or further network infiltration. Organizations using vulnerable Cacti versions should app

4Halo Surface Signal

OS Command Injection

Cacti

before 1.2.23

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2022-46169

Cacti is a web-based monitoring platform. Its primary function is a centralized portal, frequently accessed via web browsers by operations teams. Deployment patterns often expose these interfaces to broader network segments or internet-facing management gateways, increasing the likelihood of external accessibility for this management framework.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Cacti, an open-source operational monitoring platform, has a critical vulnerability that allows unauthorized code execution. This flaw resides within the `remote_agent.php` file and can be exploited by unauthenticated users. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution on the server running Cacti, presenting a significant business risk.

  • Vulnerable component: Cacti monitoring platform
  • Core weakness: Unauthenticated command injection
  • Main business impact: Arbitrary code execution on servers

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated user can exploit a vulnerability in Cacti by manipulating specific HTTP headers to bypass authentication checks. This allows the attacker to then submit crafted requests that result in the execution of arbitrary commands on the server. The attacker can leverage this to gain unauthorized control over the affected system, potentially leading to data compromise or further system manipulation.

  • Cacti accessible externally.
  • Attacker bypasses authentication.
  • Attacker executes arbitrary code.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A critical vulnerability exists in Cacti, an operational monitoring platform. This flaw allows unauthorized individuals to run malicious code on affected servers. The issue stems from how the platform handles remote agent requests, enabling an attacker to bypass authentication and inject commands. The potential for arbitrary code execution poses a significant risk to any organization using the vulnerable Cacti software.

  • Attackers with no special skill needed.
  • No access or conditions required.
  • High business risk, treat as urgent.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

A critical command injection vulnerability has been identified in the Cacti platform. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated access, enabling arbitrary code execution on affected servers. The risk is significant due to the potential for attackers to compromise systems, leading to data breaches or operational disruptions.

  • Identify all Cacti assets.
  • Restrict network access to Cacti.
  • Apply vendor updates and verify.
  • Monitor for related threats.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cacti and what is its primary function in network management?

Cacti is an open-source, web-based network monitoring and fault management framework. It collects performance data from network devices like routers and servers using protocols such as SNMP, and visualizes this data through graphs and dashboards to help administrators track critical metrics and network health.

What type of vulnerability does CVE-2022-46169 represent and what are its weakness classifications?

CVE-2022-46169 is a critical command injection vulnerability. It is classified under weaknesses CWE-74, CWE-78, and CWE-863, allowing an unauthenticated user to execute arbitrary operating system commands on a vulnerable Cacti server.

How can an attacker trigger the command injection vulnerability in Cacti?

An attacker can bypass authentication in Cacti by manipulating HTTP headers like 'Forwarded-For' to impersonate the Cacti server's IP address. This allows them to access the `remote_agent.php` file, and by providing a crafted `poller_id` parameter, inject commands that are executed by the `proc_open` function.

What is the relevance of CVE-2022-46169 given Cacti's role as a web-based portal?

Cacti's role as a centralized, web-based portal frequently accessed by operations teams, often exposed to network segments or internet-facing gateways, increases the likelihood of external accessibility. This makes the command injection vulnerability highly relevant as it can be exploited by unauthenticated external attackers.

What steps should be taken to respond to the Cacti command injection vulnerability?

Organizations should identify all Cacti assets, restrict network access to the Cacti platform, and promptly apply vendor-provided updates. Continuous monitoring for related threats and suspicious activities is also recommended to detect any potential compromises.

References