CVE-2005-4694 in WebGUI
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the www_add method in Asset.pm in Plain Black WebGUI 6.3.0 and other versions before 6.7.6 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4694 represents a critical security flaw within the Plain Black WebGUI content management system version 6.3.0 and earlier releases. This issue resides within the www_add method implementation in the Asset.pm module, which serves as a fundamental component for handling web content assets within the platform. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability could potentially be exploited through multiple pathways, making it particularly dangerous as security professionals cannot predict the exact method an attacker might use to leverage this weakness.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of user input within the www_add method, which likely fails to adequately validate or sanitize data before processing. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of code injection flaws, specifically aligning with CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code and CWE-74 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component. The vulnerability's classification as a code execution flaw indicates that successful exploitation could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain full control over the affected WebGUI installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially compromise the entire web application, access sensitive data, modify content, or establish persistent access through backdoor mechanisms. The vulnerability affects not just the immediate web application but could also provide a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, especially if the web server hosting WebGUI has elevated privileges or access to sensitive systems. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute commands, and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as exploitation often requires legitimate credentials to access the system.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios, especially when the web application runs with administrative privileges. The lack of specific details about the attack vectors in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability may be present in multiple areas of the www_add method implementation, making it challenging for administrators to determine exactly what input fields or parameters could be exploited. This uncertainty compounds the risk as defenders must assume that any user interaction with the web application could potentially be leveraged for exploitation, requiring comprehensive monitoring and defensive measures. Organizations using affected versions of WebGUI should immediately implement mitigations including patching to version 6.7.6 or later, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability centers entirely on upgrading to WebGUI version 6.7.6 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the code execution flaw. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, restrict file upload capabilities, and ensure that the web application runs with minimal required privileges. Network-based mitigations including firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while application-level controls such as web application firewalls should be deployed to provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem, as this type of flaw often indicates potential weaknesses in the overall security architecture of the platform.