CVE-2010-5094 in SilverStripe
Summary
by MITRE
The deleteinstallfiles function in control/ContentController.php in SilverStripe 2.3.x before 2.3.7 does not require ADMIN permissions, which allows remote attackers to delete index.php and "disrupt mod_rewrite-less URL routing."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-5094 represents a critical access control flaw within the SilverStripe content management system version 2.3.x prior to 2.3.7. This issue specifically affects the control/ContentController.php file where the deleteinstallfiles function operates without proper authentication checks, creating a significant security risk for web applications utilizing this version of the platform. The flaw stems from insufficient permission validation mechanisms that should have enforced administrative privileges before allowing destructive operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the missing authentication check by directly invoking the deleteinstallfiles function through web requests. This function, which should only be accessible to system administrators with full privileges, operates without verifying user credentials or role-based access controls. When attackers can execute this function, they gain the ability to remove critical system files including index.php, which serves as the primary entry point for the SilverStripe application. The removal of this file fundamentally disrupts the application's ability to function properly and can lead to complete service outages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, as it specifically targets the core routing mechanisms of SilverStripe applications. When attackers delete index.php, they disable the application's ability to properly handle URL routing, particularly affecting installations that rely on mod_rewrite-less configurations. This disruption can render entire websites inaccessible to users and administrators, creating significant downtime and potential data loss scenarios. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to perform a form of denial-of-service attack while simultaneously compromising the application's core functionality.
This security flaw aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control vulnerabilities where insufficient authorization checks allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1489 for network denial of service, as the ability to delete critical system files constitutes both a privilege escalation and service disruption attack vector. Organizations using affected SilverStripe versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access and system compromise, particularly in environments where web applications are not properly secured through additional network-level controls or application firewalls.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to SilverStripe version 2.3.7 or later, which includes proper authentication checks for the deleteinstallfiles function. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting access to administrative functions through network-level firewalls, implementing web application firewalls, and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to system management interfaces. Regular security audits and monitoring of administrative access logs should be conducted to detect any unauthorized attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all web applications and platforms.