CVE-2009-4113 in UTF-8 CuteNews
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in the Categories module in CutePHP CuteNews 1.4.6 and UTF-8 CuteNews before 8b allows remote authenticated users with application administrative privileges to inject arbitrary PHP code into data/category.db.php via the Category Access field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4113 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the Categories module of CutePHP CuteNews version 1.4.6 and UTF-8 CuteNews prior to version 8b. This security weakness specifically targets the application's administrative interface where users with valid administrative credentials can manipulate the Category Access field. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before it is written to the data/category.db.php file. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which describes the execution of arbitrary code due to improper handling of dynamic code generation or execution. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically affects the data persistence mechanism where user inputs are stored and later executed as PHP code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess administrative privileges within the CuteNews application, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to fully remote exploits. However, the impact remains severe as administrative access typically provides complete control over the application and underlying system. When an authenticated administrator modifies the Category Access field, the system fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing malicious PHP code to be written directly into the category.db.php file. This file is subsequently included or executed by the application, enabling the attacker's malicious code to run within the context of the web server process. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal and code injection pattern where user-controllable input directly influences the execution flow of the application.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4113 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised system. Once the malicious PHP code is injected into the category.db.php file, it becomes part of the application's normal execution flow, allowing attackers to maintain their access even after the initial exploitation. This persistent nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous for web applications, as it can enable attackers to establish backdoors, exfiltrate data, or perform further attacks against the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of PHP for code execution, and T1505.003, which addresses the use of web shells for maintaining access. Organizations running affected versions of CuteNews face significant risk of complete system compromise, data theft, and potential use as a launchpad for broader network attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4113 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization. The primary fix involves implementing strict input filtering that prevents PHP code from being written to configuration files, particularly those that are later included or executed by the application. Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of CuteNews where this vulnerability has been patched, as the fix typically includes enhanced sanitization routines and proper escaping of user inputs. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the potential damage, as the vulnerability requires administrative credentials to exploit. Security measures should also include regular monitoring of configuration file changes and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious PHP code patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, as it demonstrates how simple oversight in data handling can lead to critical security breaches. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar injection vulnerabilities in their codebase, and regular security assessments to identify potential code injection vectors that could be exploited in a similar manner.