CVE-2007-3018 in contentserver
Summary
by MITRE
activeWeb contentserver CMS before 5.6.2964 does not limit the file-creation ability of editors who have restricted accounts, which allows these editors to create files in arbitrary directories.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3018 affects the activeWeb contentserver CMS version 5.6.2964 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of the system. This issue stems from insufficient privilege enforcement within the content management framework, where editors with restricted accounts are able to bypass directory access controls and create files in arbitrary locations throughout the system. The flaw exists at the core of the CMS's file system interaction mechanisms, specifically in how it validates user permissions during file creation operations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and privilege separation that are essential for maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive areas of the file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through a weakness in the CMS's authorization framework where the system fails to properly validate whether an editor account has sufficient privileges to create files in the target directory. This flaw allows authenticated users with restricted permissions to manipulate the file creation process and place files in locations that should normally be restricted to administrators or privileged users only. The vulnerability can be exploited through the CMS's content creation interface where editors can upload or create new files, bypassing the intended access controls that should prevent such operations in sensitive directories. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks that aligns with CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to potentially place malicious files in critical system directories, leading to potential code execution or system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoor files, modify system configuration files, or create persistent access points within the content management environment. The implications are particularly severe for web applications where content servers often handle sensitive data and where unauthorized file creation can lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability also enables potential lateral movement within the network if the content server is integrated with other systems, as attackers could use the created files to establish footholds for further attacks. The attack pattern follows typical privilege escalation methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically focusing on path interception and file system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access control enforcement within the CMS, including robust validation of user permissions during file creation operations. Organizations should implement mandatory access controls that prevent any user account, regardless of privilege level, from creating files in restricted directories without explicit authorization. The recommended approach involves strengthening the CMS's authorization model to ensure that all file creation operations are properly validated against the user's assigned permissions and the target directory's access controls. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough permission audits to identify and restrict any unnecessary write access to critical directories. The fix should include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file creation operations, ensuring that the system enforces strict directory access controls at the application level. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to verify that the access control mechanisms are functioning correctly and that no similar vulnerabilities exist in the system's file handling processes.