CVE-2010-3483 in Primitive CMS
Summary
by MITRE
cms_write.php in Primitive CMS 1.0.9 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges via a direct request. NOTE: this vulnerability can be leveraged to conduct cross-site scripting attacks, as demonstrated using the (1) title, (2) content, and (3) menutitle parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3483 affects Primitive CMS version 1.0.9 and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the content management system. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and permission checks within the cms_write.php script, which serves as a core component for content management operations. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to escalate their privileges from regular user status to administrative level through direct exploitation of the vulnerable endpoint, bypassing all intended security mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of administrative functions within the cms_write.php file, where the application fails to verify user credentials or roles before executing privileged operations. This misconfiguration creates a path for attackers to directly call administrative functions without proper authentication, effectively granting them complete control over the CMS interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core authentication layer, where the system should enforce strict access controls and user role validation before permitting any administrative actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include significant cross-site scripting capabilities that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can inject malicious scripts through three primary parameters: title, content, and menutitle, which are commonly used fields in content management systems. This dual nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation can result in not only administrative takeover but also persistent malicious code execution within the context of other users' browsers, creating a potential for widespread data compromise and user impersonation. The combination of privilege escalation and XSS capabilities makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where CMS administrators manage content for numerous users.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper access control mechanisms at every level of application functionality. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1190 which covers exploitation for execution, showing how the vulnerability can be leveraged for both privilege escalation and persistent access. Organizations using Primitive CMS 1.0.9 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper authentication checks, and access control restrictions. The recommended approach involves patching the application to version 1.0.10 or later, implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block direct administrative endpoint access, and conducting thorough security audits of all CMS components to identify similar authorization flaws. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of administrative access patterns should be implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing, particularly focusing on authentication and authorization mechanisms, as these represent the primary defense lines against unauthorized system access and privilege escalation attacks.