CVE-2012-10044 in MobileCartly
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2025
MobileCartly version 1.0 contains an arbitrary file creation vulnerability in the savepage.php script. The application fails to perform authentication or authorization checks before invoking file_put_contents() on attacker-controlled input. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this flaw by sending crafted HTTP GET requests to savepage.php, specifying both the filename and content. This allows arbitrary file creation within the pages/ directory or any writable path on the server, allowing remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-10044 resides within MobileCartly version 1.0, specifically in the savepage.php script where insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms create a critical security flaw. This arbitrary file creation vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper access controls before executing file operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the file system directly through web requests. The flaw manifests when the application processes user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization, enabling attackers to specify both the target filename and content to be written to disk.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-73, which covers external control of filename or path. The savepage.php script directly invokes file_put_contents() with attacker-controlled data, bypassing any authentication or authorization checks that should normally validate user permissions before allowing file system modifications. This primitive operation combined with the absence of input validation creates a direct path for arbitrary file creation within the application's directory structure, particularly targeting the pages/ directory which appears to be the default writable location for content management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple file creation, as it provides attackers with a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including remote code execution. An unauthenticated attacker can leverage this flaw to upload malicious files such as web shells or backdoor scripts to the server, effectively gaining persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only basic HTTP GET requests with crafted parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed through standard web browsers or automated tools without requiring any specialized privileges. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can use the compromised system to execute arbitrary commands through the uploaded files.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and implement comprehensive access control measures. Organizations should immediately implement authentication checks before any file system operations occur, ensuring that only authorized users can execute the savepage.php script. Input validation and sanitization should be enforced to prevent path traversal attacks and limit the scope of file operations to predefined directories. The application should also implement proper authorization controls that verify user permissions before allowing file creation or modification operations. Additionally, file system permissions should be configured to restrict write access to the pages/ directory and other sensitive locations, ensuring that even if exploitation occurs, the damage remains contained. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, particularly those handling user-supplied data and performing file system operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies, where multiple layers of security controls work together to prevent exploitation of individual flaws.