Cacti Log Exposure Scanner

Cacti is a widely used network monitoring and graphing tool designed to harness the power of RRDTool's data storage and graphing functionality. It is typically utilized by network administrators to gather and represent network data graphically. Being open-source, Cacti is often adopted in various IT and telecommunication environments. Its main purpose is to manage networks by monitoring bandwidth and server performance. Cacti offers a strong graphical interface, which can be extended by plugins and additional scripts. The software finds usage across diverse sectors, including enterprise IT and service providers.

The vulnerability known as Log Exposure refers to the unintended visibility of log files that may contain critical system statistics and error messages. In this context, the exposed logs belong to Cacti, stored typically as cacti.log. Such files can inadvertently reveal sensitive information due to improper access control measures. Attackers exploit these logs to gather invaluable insights into the system's operations. In Cacti, the vulnerability might include exposure to command execution logs, potentially revealing network processes. The primary concern revolves around how unauthorized access to these logs could breed further security incidents.

Cacti logs are commonly stored under specific paths and are typically accessed via GET requests. The primary files at risk appear under URLs like /cacti/log/cacti.log or variants thereof, potentially leaving them exposed if not properly secured. The vulnerability arises due to specific key patterns or phrases present in these log files, such as 'SYSTEM STATS,' 'CMDPHP,' or 'Method.' These unique identifiers can help an attacker recognize a compromised system. The technical flaw usually centers around improperly secured access paths, allowing status code 200 responses when queried. Furthermore, these exposed logs can be exploited for log poisoning attacks, potentially aiding further malicious activities.

When exploited, this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences, such as unauthorized data access and manipulation. Attackers can glean detailed system operation insights, leading to an increased risk of targeted attacks or network disruptions. Furthermore, the exposed logs can become breeding grounds for log poisoning, allowing attackers to insert malicious scripts or commands. This vulnerability can exacerbate denial-of-service conditions if log files are manipulated to store large, malformed inputs. Additionally, the integrity and confidentiality of network operation data could be compromised, posing significant risks to system stability.

REFERENCES

• https://docs.cacti.net/Cacti-Log.md