CVE-2009-2331 in CMS Chainuk
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple static code injection vulnerabilities in CMS Chainuk 1.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code (1) into settings.php via the menu parameter to admin_settings.php or (2) into a content/=NUMBER.php file via the title parameter to admin_new.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2331 represents a critical security flaw in CMS Chainuk version 1.2 and earlier systems, exposing multiple pathways for remote code execution through static code injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interfaces of the content management system, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the CMS's administrative components, particularly affecting the settings.php and content file generation processes. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" within the execution phase of the attack lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the same underlying flaw in input handling. The first vector targets the admin_settings.php script where the menu parameter is not properly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious PHP code directly into the settings.php file. This injection occurs during the administrative configuration process, where user-supplied input is directly written to a PHP file without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. The second vector operates through the admin_new.php script, where the title parameter is similarly mishandled, enabling code injection into dynamically generated content files named content/=NUMBER.php. Both attack paths demonstrate the same fundamental weakness in the CMS's code generation process, where user-controllable data flows directly into executable code without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface that could lead to complete system compromise. Remote attackers with knowledge of the CMS administration interface could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, modify or delete content, and establish persistent backdoors through the injected PHP code. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate functionality of the CMS but also poses risks to the underlying server infrastructure, as the injected code executes with the privileges of the web server process. This could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access database credentials, or leverage the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2331 should prioritize immediate patching of the CMS to version 1.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of parameterized queries, proper escaping of special characters, and validation of all user-supplied data before processing. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting write permissions on critical system files and ensuring that administrative interfaces are protected through strong authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual file modification patterns and unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security audits of their CMS installations, implement web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle code injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate action to prevent exploitation, as the potential for data breaches, service disruption, and system compromise makes this a critical security concern requiring immediate attention.