CVE-2012-1198 in Basic Analysis
Summary
by MITRE
base_ag_main.php in Basic Analysis and Security Engine (BASE) 1.4.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading contents of the file with an executable extension via a create action, then accessing it via a view action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1198 affects the Basic Analysis and Security Engine (BASE) version 1.4.5, a security information and event management tool designed to analyze and correlate security events from various sources. This weakness represents a critical file upload vulnerability that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities within the targeted system. The vulnerability specifically resides in the base_ag_main.php component, which handles various administrative functions including file management operations. The flaw manifests when the application processes file uploads through the create action functionality without proper validation of file extensions or content types, creating an avenue for malicious file deployment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a two-stage process that leverages the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms. Attackers can upload malicious files with executable extensions such as .php, .asp, or .jsp through the create action interface, bypassing normal security restrictions that should prevent such file types from being stored within the application's file system. Once the malicious file is successfully uploaded and stored, the second stage involves accessing the file through the view action, which allows the attacker to execute the uploaded code directly within the context of the web server. This represents a classic file upload vulnerability that falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-434, which specifically addresses insecure file upload handling and the potential for arbitrary code execution through malicious file deployment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the underlying system where BASE is deployed. Since BASE typically operates within security monitoring environments, successful exploitation could enable attackers to compromise the entire security infrastructure, potentially allowing them to modify or delete security logs, access sensitive threat intelligence data, or even deploy additional malware for lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to initiate the attack, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where the application may be exposed to untrusted users or external networks. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of exploitation for code execution through web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive file upload restrictions and validation mechanisms. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to BASE versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the issue was resolved in subsequent releases. The recommended security controls include implementing strict file type validation that rejects executable extensions, employing content-based file type detection rather than relying solely on file extensions, and ensuring proper file permissions are enforced to prevent execution of uploaded files. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the BASE application to authorized personnel only, and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious file upload patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as proper implementation of these controls would have prevented the exploitation scenario entirely.