CVE-2011-3993 in AutoTagging
Summary
by MITRE
SKYARC MTCMS before 5.252, and the MultiFileUploader 0.44 and earlier, DuplicateEntry 1.2 and earlier, MailPack 1.741 and earlier, and AutoTagging 0.08 and earlier plugins for Movable Type, uses weak permissions, which allows remote authenticated users to modify files and settings via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3993 affects multiple plugins within the Movable Type content management system ecosystem including SKYARC MTCMS, MultiFileUploader, DuplicateEntry, MailPack, and AutoTagging versions prior to their respective secure releases. This weakness stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions before allowing file modification operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the permission model implementation within these plugins, creating a scenario where authenticated users can exploit the system to perform unauthorized file operations that should be restricted to administrators or authorized personnel only. The issue represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security boundaries established by the platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that leverage the weak permission checks implemented in the affected plugins. When authenticated users access the system, they can manipulate file operations and system settings without proper authorization validation. This allows attackers to modify configuration files, upload malicious content, or alter existing files within the system's file structure. The vulnerability essentially permits privilege escalation through file system manipulation, where standard authenticated users can gain elevated capabilities typically restricted to administrators. This weakness falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized modifications to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited by malicious actors. Attackers can use this weakness to upload backdoor files, modify core system configurations, or manipulate content management workflows to redirect traffic or inject malicious code. The affected plugins operate within the Movable Type framework, making the exploitation potential particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple aspects of the content management infrastructure. Organizations using these vulnerable plugins face risks of data integrity compromise, unauthorized content modification, and potential full system takeover. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who can obtain legitimate user credentials can immediately exploit this weakness without requiring additional privilege escalation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected plugins to version 5.252 or later for SKYARC MTCMS and the corresponding secure releases for each of the affected plugins. System administrators should implement strict permission controls and regularly audit user access rights to minimize the potential impact of compromised accounts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unauthorized file modification attempts and unusual access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials, as exploitation relies on authenticated user accounts, and T1059 command and scripting interpreter, since attackers may use the compromised system to execute malicious scripts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning and regular security assessments to identify similar permission-related weaknesses in their content management systems and web applications.