CVE-2009-3814 in RunCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in RunCMS 2M1 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary PHP code via the "Filter/Banning" feature, as demonstrated by modifying modules/system/cache/bademails.php using the "Prohibited: Emails" action, and other unspecified filters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3814 represents a critical static code injection flaw within RunCMS 2M1 that fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the filtering and banning functionality of the content management system, creating a pathway for authenticated administrators to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The flaw resides in how the system processes user inputs through the Filter/Banning feature, particularly when handling email address restrictions within the modules/system/cache/bademails.php file. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, indicating that the system fails to properly sanitize or validate user-provided data before incorporating it into executable code contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated administrative account, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of the impact. Attackers can leverage the "Prohibited: Emails" action to modify the bademails.php file, which then gets executed as PHP code without proper input validation or sanitization. This creates a persistent backdoor that allows attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate sanitization of user-controlled data within the CMS's administrative interface, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. The attack vector specifically targets the system's cache mechanism where user inputs are stored and later executed, creating a code injection scenario that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3814 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader system compromise and data theft risks. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to establish persistent access to the compromised system, potentially enabling them to modify or delete content, steal sensitive information, or use the compromised server for further attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the CMS, as attackers can manipulate the filtering mechanisms to block legitimate users while maintaining their own access. Organizations using RunCMS 2M1 are particularly vulnerable because this flaw allows for privilege escalation from standard administrative access to full system control, potentially compromising the entire web infrastructure. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring special tools or advanced technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with insufficient security monitoring and patch management processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3814 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patch or upgrading to a newer version of RunCMS that addresses this specific code injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for administrative interfaces that handle user-provided data. The implementation of proper access controls and monitoring of administrative activities can help detect unauthorized modifications to system files. Security professionals should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the filtering features. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of validating all user inputs before they are processed or stored within executable contexts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and proper data validation mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content or administrative functions.