CVE-2010-1514 in TomatoCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in TomatoCMS 2.0.6 and earlier allows remote authenticated users, with certain privileges, to execute arbitrary PHP code by uploading an image file, and then accessing it via a direct request to the file in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1514 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within TomatoCMS version 2.0.6 and earlier systems. This security weakness specifically affects authenticated users who possess certain privileges within the content management system, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file types during the upload process, allowing attackers to bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the absence of proper file type verification and content validation during the image upload process. When authenticated users upload files through the CMS interface, the system does not sufficiently validate the file extensions or examine the actual file content to ensure that uploaded files conform to expected image formats. This deficiency enables attackers to upload PHP files with image extensions or rename PHP files to appear as legitimate image files, effectively circumventing the intended security restrictions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, providing them with full control over the affected system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe implications for organizations using TomatoCMS versions prior to 2.0.7. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload malicious PHP scripts that can perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, backdoor installation, and complete system compromise. The unspecified directory access mechanism means that even if the upload location is not immediately obvious, attackers can still execute their payloads through direct requests to the uploaded files, making detection and prevention more challenging. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which is categorized under the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires an authenticated user with sufficient privileges, typically administrative or content management roles within the CMS. This requirement reduces the attack surface compared to fully unauthenticated exploits but still represents a significant risk, especially in environments where user accounts are compromised or where privilege escalation attacks are possible. The exploitation process involves uploading a malicious PHP file disguised as an image, then accessing the file through direct HTTP requests to execute the payload. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 Server Software Component, which focuses on the exploitation of web server components through malicious file uploads.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The primary remediation involves upgrading to TomatoCMS version 2.0.7 or later, which includes proper file type validation and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement strict file extension filtering, enforce content-type validation, and ensure that uploaded files are stored in non-executable directories. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious file upload patterns and unauthorized access attempts. Security configurations should also include disabling PHP execution in upload directories and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access, thereby reducing the impact of potential exploitation attempts.