CVE-2009-2238 in Registration Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in includes/shared_scripts/wysiwyg_editor/assetmanager/assetmanager.asp in DMXReady Registration Manager 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in assets/webblogmanager.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2238 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within the DMXReady Registration Manager 1.1 web application. This vulnerability exists in the file includes/shared_scripts/wysiwyg_editor/assetmanager/assetmanager.asp which fails to properly validate or sanitize file uploads. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass security restrictions and upload malicious files with executable extensions directly to the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the web server and underlying infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper file type checking mechanisms within the asset manager component. When users upload files through the web interface, the application does not perform sufficient validation to prevent the upload of executable files such as .asp, .aspx, .php, or other server-side script files. This allows an attacker to upload a malicious web shell or script file that can then be executed directly by the web server. The vulnerability specifically affects the assets/webblogmanager directory structure, where uploaded files are stored and made accessible via direct HTTP requests, enabling remote code execution through simple browser access to the uploaded file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and encompasses multiple attack vectors aligned with the attack technique framework. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the unrestricted upload to establish persistent access and execute commands on the compromised system. The vulnerability can be exploited to deploy web shells, steal sensitive data, perform lateral movement within the network, and establish backdoors for continued access. Organizations using this vulnerable software face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations, particularly in environments where the application handles sensitive user information or business-critical data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should implement strict file type validation and extension checking mechanisms that reject executable files and enforce proper content type verification. The application should be configured to store uploaded files outside the web root directory and implement proper access controls to prevent direct execution of uploaded content. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) classification for this vulnerability is CWE-434, which specifically addresses "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type." This classification emphasizes the importance of proper file validation and the need for robust input sanitization controls. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls, regular patch management, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and provide defense-in-depth measures against similar attack vectors.