CVE-2012-1200 in Nova CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Nova CMS allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) fileType parameter to optimizer/index.php, (2) id parameter to administrator/modules/moduleslist.php, (3) filename parameter to includes/function/gets.php, or (4) conf[blockfile] parameter to includes/function/usertpl.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1200 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Nova CMS that stems from improper input validation and dynamic code execution mechanisms. This vulnerability affects multiple components of the content management system and demonstrates a classic remote file inclusion (RFI) attack vector that has been prevalent in web applications for many years. The affected parameters span across different PHP files including optimizer/index.php, administrator/modules/moduleslist.php, includes/function/gets.php, and includes/function/usertpl.php, indicating a systemic issue in how the application handles user-supplied input that could be interpreted as file paths or URLs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can manipulate the specified parameters to include external URLs that contain malicious PHP code. When the application processes these parameters without proper sanitization, it executes the remote code as if it were part of the local application, effectively granting attackers full control over the affected system. The fileType parameter in optimizer/index.php, id parameter in administrator/modules/moduleslist.php, filename parameter in includes/function/gets.php, and conf[blockfile] parameter in includes/function/usertpl.php all represent different entry points where unvalidated input can be transformed into executable code. This attack pattern falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities and T1059 for executing malicious code through command injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the web application. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload additional malicious payloads, escalate privileges, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects not just the web application itself but potentially the entire hosting environment, as the code execution occurs within the context of the web server process. Organizations using Nova CMS versions affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects core administrative and functional components of the CMS, making it difficult to isolate and contain the compromise. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles outlined in secure coding standards and best practices for preventing injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1200 should include immediate patching of the affected Nova CMS versions, implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. Organizations should also implement strict parameter validation, disable remote file inclusion features, and conduct regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in their applications. The remediation process should involve reviewing all user-supplied input handling mechanisms and ensuring that any dynamic file operations are properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable values. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security monitoring and incident response procedures should be established to detect and respond to potential attacks targeting this vulnerability.