CVE-2008-3181 in ContentNow CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in upload.php in ContentNow CMS 1.4.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in upload/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3181 represents a critical security flaw in the ContentNow CMS version 1.4.1 that stems from improper input validation and file handling mechanisms. This unrestricted file upload vulnerability exists within the upload.php script, which serves as the primary interface for file uploads within the content management system. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to bypass security restrictions and upload malicious files with executable extensions directly to the server's upload directory, creating a persistent backdoor for code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper file type validation and extension checking within the upload.php script. When authenticated users upload files, the system fails to adequately verify the file extensions or MIME types, permitting uploads of files with potentially dangerous extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other executable formats. This weakness directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the improper restriction of uploads of executable code, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to upload and execute malicious files. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by the fact that the uploaded files are stored in the upload/ directory, making them directly accessible via web requests, thus eliminating the need for additional exploitation steps.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and far-reaching for any organization utilizing ContentNow CMS 1.4.1. An authenticated attacker can leverage this flaw to upload web shells, malware, or other malicious code that can then be executed directly through web requests to the upload directory. This capability enables attackers to establish persistent access to the compromised system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate web application but also the underlying server infrastructure, as successful exploitation can result in privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the CMS.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary defense involves modifying the upload.php script to enforce strict file type validation, rejecting uploads of executable files and implementing proper MIME type checking. Additionally, the upload directory should be configured with restricted permissions and should not be directly accessible via web requests. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, disabling execution permissions for uploaded files, and regularly auditing file upload directories for suspicious content. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring of file upload activities to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a high-risk issue according to CVSS v2 scoring emphasizes the urgency of implementing these protective measures.