CVE-2012-5385 in WebCalendar
Summary
by MITRE
install/index.php in Craig Knudsen WebCalendar before 1.2.5 allows remote attackers to modify settings.php and possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the user theme preference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5385 affects the WebCalendar application version 1.2.4 and earlier, specifically targeting the install/index.php file. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's configuration files and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper file handling mechanisms within the installation process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the web application's integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the user theme preference parameter during the installation phase. Attackers can leverage this weakness to modify the settings.php configuration file, which contains critical application parameters and user preferences. This allows them to inject malicious code or alter existing configuration settings that control how the application functions. The flaw essentially creates a directory traversal or file inclusion vulnerability that bypasses normal access controls and authorization mechanisms, enabling unauthorized modifications to core application components.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing the affected WebCalendar version. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive calendar information. The ability to execute arbitrary code means attackers could install backdoors, steal user credentials, or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability affects the application's security model by undermining the trust boundary between legitimate users and the system, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where calendar applications store sensitive business or personal information.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to WebCalendar version 1.2.5 or later, which contains patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-74 Injection flaws, representing a combination of path manipulation and code injection vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides attackers with the means to execute arbitrary code and potentially escalate their privileges within the compromised system. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent such issues in future deployments.