CVE-2012-10049 in WebPageTest
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2025
WebPageTest version 2.6 and earlier contains an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the resultimage.php script. The application fails to validate or sanitize user-supplied input before saving uploaded files to a publicly accessible directory. This flaw allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code, resulting in full remote code execution under the web server context.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-10049 affects WebPageTest version 2.6 and earlier, representing a critical arbitrary file upload flaw that fundamentally undermines the application's security posture. This issue exists within the resultimage.php script, which serves as a component for handling image uploads within the web performance testing framework. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly examine or restrict user-supplied file data before processing. The flaw allows attackers to bypass normal file upload restrictions and place malicious files directly into the web server's publicly accessible directory structure, creating a direct pathway for malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic arbitrary file upload attack pattern where the application accepts user input without proper validation of file type, content, or extension. When users upload files through the resultimage.php endpoint, the system does not verify that the uploaded content matches the expected file type or that it contains legitimate image data. This absence of proper validation creates an exploitable condition where attackers can upload PHP files containing malicious code, which then execute within the context of the web server process. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web server and the application, making it particularly dangerous as it allows execution with the privileges of the web server account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server environment. Once successfully exploited, remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows execution under the web server context, which often has elevated privileges compared to standard user accounts. This privilege escalation capability enables attackers to access sensitive files, modify application behavior, and potentially establish persistent access through backdoor creation or other malicious activities.
Organizations utilizing WebPageTest versions 2.6 or earlier face significant security risks from this vulnerability, as it represents a critical weakness that requires immediate remediation. The flaw directly violates several security principles including input validation, privilege separation, and secure file handling practices. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely fail security audits and assessments under standards such as iso 27001, as it creates an uncontrolled execution environment that exposes the entire web infrastructure to potential compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-434 which specifically addresses insecure file upload scenarios, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for malicious file upload and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-10049 require immediate implementation of multiple security controls to address the root cause. The most effective approach involves updating to WebPageTest version 2.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to resolve the arbitrary file upload vulnerability. In environments where immediate updates are not feasible, administrators should implement strict file type validation, implement proper content type checking, and ensure that uploaded files are stored outside of the web root directory. Additional protective measures include implementing proper file extension filtering, using randomized filenames for uploaded content, and applying restrictive file permissions to prevent execution of uploaded files. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can also provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious file upload patterns, though these should be considered supplementary rather than primary defenses against this specific vulnerability.