CVE-2009-0673 in RavenNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in the Custom Fields feature in the Your Account module in Raven Web Services RavenNuke 2.30 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary PHP code via the ID Field Name box in a yaCustomFields action to admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The CVE-2009-0673 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code injection flaw within the RavenNuke 2.30 content management system, specifically targeting the Custom Fields functionality in the Your Account module. This vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing it within the application's execution context. The flaw manifests when authenticated administrators access the yaCustomFields action through the admin.php interface and provide malicious input into the ID Field Name box, which then gets executed as PHP code on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the principle of insecure input handling where user-provided data flows directly into the application's code execution path without proper sanitization or validation. This creates an environment where an authenticated attacker with administrative privileges can inject arbitrary PHP code that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability is classified as an evaluation injection flaw, which aligns with CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code, and represents a serious weakness in the application's input validation architecture. Attackers can leverage this to execute malicious commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate the entire web application environment. An authenticated administrator with access to the Custom Fields configuration can use this vulnerability to deploy web shells, modify application logic, access sensitive user data, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative authentication, which is often more difficult to maintain than regular user credentials, but once achieved, provides full control over the application's functionality. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP, and T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through legitimate administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0673 should focus on immediate patching of the RavenNuke 2.30 application to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures that prevent PHP code execution within user-controlled fields, including the implementation of proper escaping mechanisms and the adoption of secure coding practices that prevent code injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, administrators should enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting administrative access to only essential personnel and implementing robust monitoring of administrative activities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar input validation weaknesses in legacy applications. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms that can detect and block malicious payloads before they reach the application's execution engine, while also ensuring that all administrative interfaces properly validate and sanitize all user inputs through established security protocols and industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.