The landscape of cybersecurity is in constant flux, with new threats and sophisticated attack vectors emerging regularly. For penetration testers and red teamers, staying ahead of these developments is not just a best practice—it’s a necessity. This week, the Metasploit Framework, a cornerstone tool in the arsenal of security professionals, has significantly bolstered its capabilities with the introduction of seven new exploit modules. This update provides powerful new avenues for assessing the security posture of commonly deployed enterprise software, particularly focusing on critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities in FreePBX, Cacti, and SmarterMail.

Metasploit’s Latest Offensive Punch: New Exploit Modules Explained

The recent Metasploit update delivers a powerful enhancement for security professionals, offering specialized tools to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. These new modules are highly anticipated, as they target applications widely used in enterprise environments, making them critical for thorough security assessments.

Deep Dive into FreePBX Vulnerabilities

FreePBX, an open-source web-based graphical user interface that manages Asterisk, a voice over IP (VoIP) server, is a common target due to its widespread deployment. The latest Metasploit release includes a sophisticated trio of modules specifically designed to exploit FreePBX. These modules address critical RCE vulnerabilities, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying server. For example, the module targeting CVE-2021-32578 in FreePBX 15.0.17.6 and earlier versions allows for unauthenticated remote code execution. Another significant vulnerability addressed is CVE-2020-26462, which affects FreePBX 15.0.16.89 and earlier and permits authenticated PHP code injection leading to RCE.

• CVE-2021-32578: FreePBX 15.0.17.6 – Unauthenticated RCE
• CVE-2020-26462: FreePBX 15.0.16.89 – Authenticated PHP Code Injection RCE

Exploiting Cacti for Remote Code Execution

Cacti is an open-source, web-based network monitoring and graphing tool widely used for visualizing network data. The inclusion of a new RCE module for Cacti is particularly significant. This module targets vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-46169, which allows for unauthenticated remote code execution in Cacti versions 1.2.22 and earlier. This type of vulnerability can grant an attacker full control over the Cacti server, potentially leading to broader network compromise and data exfiltration. The ability to exploit Cacti with Metasploit provides a critical avenue for assessing system security for organizations relying on this monitoring solution.

• CVE-2022-46169: Cacti 1.2.22 – Unauthenticated RCE

SmarterMail RCE Capabilities

SmarterMail is a popular mail server software for small and medium-sized businesses. The new Metasploit module for SmarterMail introduces critical RCE capabilities, allowing security professionals to test for vulnerabilities that could be exploited to compromise email servers. Specifically, the module addresses issues such as CVE-2022-29402, which affects SmarterMail build 100.0.8041 and earlier, enabling unauthenticated remote code execution. Exploiting such vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to emails, user accounts, and potentially the entire server infrastructure.

• CVE-2022-29402: SmarterMail 100.0.8041 – Unauthenticated RCE

Remediation Actions and Best Practices

Given the severity of remote code execution vulnerabilities, organizations using FreePBX, Cacti, or SmarterMail must prioritize immediate remediation. Proactive security measures are crucial to prevent exploitation by malicious actors.

• Immediate Patching: Ensure all instances of FreePBX, Cacti, and SmarterMail are updated to the latest stable versions. Developers frequently release patches for known vulnerabilities.
• Restrict Network Access: Limit direct internet exposure for services like FreePBX, Cacti, and SmarterMail. Implement strict firewall rules to allow access only from trusted IPs or through secure VPN connections.
• Strong Authentication: Enforce strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative interfaces.
• Principle of Least Privilege: Configure user accounts with the minimum necessary permissions required for their tasks.
• Regular Audits and Penetration Testing: Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests using tools like Metasploit to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
• Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Deploy and configure IDS/IPS solutions to monitor for suspicious activity and block exploit attempts.

Tools for Detection and Mitigation

Leveraging the right tools is essential for maintaining a strong security posture. Here are some relevant tools that can assist in detecting vulnerabilities, scanning for threats, and mitigating risks associated with these services:

Tool Name	Purpose	Link
Metasploit Framework	Penetration testing, exploit development, vulnerability research	https://www.metasploit.com/
Nessus	Vulnerability scanning and compliance auditing	https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus
OpenVAS	Open-source vulnerability scanner	https://www.greenbone.net/en/community-edition/
Snort	Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS)	https://www.snort.org/
Wireshark	Network protocol analyzer for traffic monitoring and incident response	https://www.wireshark.org/

Conclusion

The release of these seven new exploit modules for Metasploit, targeting FreePBX, Cacti, and SmarterMail, underscores the persistent need for vigilance in cybersecurity. These updates empower security professionals to conduct more comprehensive and realistic penetration tests, helping organizations identify and close critical security gaps. For system administrators and IT professionals, it’s a clear call to action: prioritize patching, implement robust security configurations, and regularly assess your systems against the latest threats. Staying informed and proactively addressing potential vulnerabilities is the strongest defense against compromise.