CVE-2012-1826 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
dotCMS 1.9 before 1.9.5.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary Java code via a crafted (1) XSLT or (2) Velocity template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1826 affects dotCMS version 1.9 prior to 1.9.5.1 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. This vulnerability exists within the template processing functionality of the content management system, specifically in how the platform handles XSLT and Velocity templates. The flaw allows an attacker with valid credentials to inject and execute arbitrary Java code on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has obtained legitimate user credentials can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized control over the application server.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization within the template processing engine. When dotCMS processes XSLT or Velocity templates, it fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied template content, creating a path for malicious code injection. This weakness aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic example of code injection vulnerabilities that can be exploited through template processing mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious templates that when processed by the server, execute arbitrary Java commands with the privileges of the web application. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.006 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell" when the injected code executes shell commands, though in this case the execution occurs within the Java runtime environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the affected system. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, and the ability to use the compromised server as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using dotCMS versions prior to 1.9.5.1, which could include content management systems for websites, intranets, and digital publishing platforms that rely on the application for dynamic content generation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deploy malware, conduct data exfiltration, or perform further reconnaissance activities within the compromised environment, making it a significant threat to organizational security posture.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for dotCMS 1.9.5.1 to address this vulnerability, as no reliable workarounds exist for this specific flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched version of the software and implementing strict access controls to limit the number of authenticated users with template modification privileges. Security teams should also monitor system logs for suspicious template modifications and implement network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their dotCMS installations to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in the template processing pipeline and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, particularly when dealing with template engines that can execute code within the application's runtime environment.