CVE-2018-20724 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A cross-site scripting vulnerability in Cacti prior to version 1.2.0 allows for XSS attacks in the pollers.php file.

Understanding CVE-2018-20724

This CVE entry describes a security vulnerability in Cacti that could be exploited for cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2018-20724?

This CVE refers to a specific vulnerability in Cacti that enables cross-site scripting due to improper character escaping in the Website Hostname for Data Collectors.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20724

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20724

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the lack of proper character escaping in the Website Hostname for Data Collectors in Cacti versions before 1.2.0, specifically in the pollers.php file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cacti
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions prior to 1.2.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the Website Hostname for Data Collectors, which are not properly escaped, leading to XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20724 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Cacti to version 1.2.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities that might indicate exploitation of the XSS vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Cacti and other software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators about the risks of XSS attacks and how to identify suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software, including Cacti, is regularly updated with the latest security patches to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-20724.