Maltrail OS Command Injection Scanner

Maltrail is an open-source malicious traffic detection system used by network administrators and security professionals to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. It is designed to detect potentially harmful behavior by tracking various types of network anomalies. The software is popular in institutional and enterprise environments where maintaining secure networks is a priority. Users implement Maltrail to ensure early warning of malicious activities in their network infrastructure. By employing a database of known threats, Maltrail flags traffic that corresponds to recognized attack patterns. This software is appreciated for its extensive detection capabilities and adaptability in large and dynamic network scenarios.

The OS Command Injection is a critical security vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a host operating system. In the context of Maltrail, the vulnerability lies within the subprocess.check_output function, specifically in the handling of the username parameter. If exploited, an attacker could inject OS commands remotely, gaining unauthorized access and control over the server. This type of vulnerability is dangerous, as it could potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the system. The execution of arbitrary commands might lead to further exploitation or denial of service conditions.

The technical details of this command injection vulnerability revolve around insecure handling of user inputs in Maltrail's HTTP interface. The vulnerable endpoint '/login' processes user input under the params.get("username") parameter. The flaw arises from the unchecked data being passed directly into command-line operations that the server executes. An attacker can exploit this by crafting a specific HTTP POST request with embedded OS commands in the username field. Malicious commands injected this way are executed with the privileges of the process hosting the web server, potentially leading to a full compromise if privileged access is attained.

If exploited by a malicious actor, this OS Command Injection vulnerability can have severe consequences. It could lead to unauthorized access and allow control over the server, resulting in data breaches, system corruption, or service downtime. The attacker may install backdoors, extract sensitive information, or disrupt network operations. In a worst-case scenario, widespread network intrusion leading to extensive reputational damage and financial loss might occur. Mitigating this risk promptly and ensuring that no unauthenticated command execution is possible is paramount for maintaining network security.

REFERENCES

• https://huntr.dev/bounties/be3c5204-fbd9-448d-b97c-96a8d2941e87/
• https://github.com/stamparm/maltrail/commit/a299967318cc226c18a6a07d1be708e3f21edd39