CVE-2009-1463 in razorCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in razorCMS before 0.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into any page by saving content as a .php file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2018
The CVE-2009-1463 vulnerability represents a critical static code injection flaw in razorCMS versions prior to 0.4 that fundamentally compromises the integrity of web applications built on this content management system. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the CMS's file handling processes, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected servers. The flaw specifically manifests when users or attackers manipulate the content saving functionality to store malicious code within files that are subsequently executed as PHP scripts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the CMS's failure to properly validate file extensions and content types during the content creation process. When users attempt to save content with a .php extension, the system does not adequately verify whether the uploaded content constitutes legitimate markup or malicious code. This oversight enables attackers to craft payloads that, when saved as PHP files, execute with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web interface interactions without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations using affected razorCMS installations. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, compromise server resources, and potentially escalate privileges to gain full control over affected systems. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities as attackers can use the compromised environment to launch further attacks against internal networks or deploy additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning since PHP files remain executable even after the initial attack, allowing for long-term compromise of the affected infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of allowing code injection in applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP code execution. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to razorCMS version 0.4 or later, which addresses this specific vulnerability through enhanced input validation and file extension filtering. Additional protective measures include restricting file upload capabilities, implementing proper content validation mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious file creation patterns. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits to identify any existing malicious files that may have been created through exploitation of this vulnerability.
The remediation process requires comprehensive application patching along with network-level security controls to prevent unauthorized file creation operations. Organizations must also establish proper monitoring procedures to detect unusual file creation activities and implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in content management systems.