CVE-2005-1031 in RUNCMS
Summary
by MITRE
RUNCMS 1.1A, and possibly other products based on e-Xoops (exoops), when "Allow custom avatar upload" is enabled, does not properly verify uploaded files, which allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1031 affects RUNCMS 1.1A and potentially other software systems built on the e-Xoops framework, specifically when the "Allow custom avatar upload" feature is enabled. This represents a critical security flaw that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of web applications relying on these platforms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file verification mechanisms within the avatar upload functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a failure in the file validation process where the system does not properly examine uploaded files for malicious content or inappropriate file types. When users enable custom avatar uploads, the application should implement strict checks to ensure that only legitimate image files are accepted while rejecting potentially harmful executables, scripts, or malicious code. However, the vulnerable implementation allows attackers to bypass these security controls through careful manipulation of file names, content types, or other upload parameters that would normally trigger rejection by proper validation mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using affected software systems as it enables remote code execution capabilities through file upload attacks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload malicious files such as web shells, malware, or other harmful code that can then be executed on the target server. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise to include full system takeover potential, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and conduct further reconnaissance or attacks against the internal network. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on user-generated content features without proper sanitization and validation.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-434, which addresses "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application." Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the custom avatar upload functionality when not required, implementing strict file type validation with whitelisting approaches, and ensuring proper file extension checks. Additional security measures should include restricting upload directories with proper file permissions, implementing content validation, and monitoring upload activities for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and proper file handling in web applications, emphasizing that user-supplied content must always be treated as potentially malicious and thoroughly validated before processing or storage.