CVE-2012-5777 in EmpireCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in the ReplaceListVars function in the template parser in e/class/connect.php in EmpireCMS 6.6 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The CVE-2012-5777 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code execution flaw in EmpireCMS 6.6 that stems from improper input validation within the ReplaceListVars function. This vulnerability exists within the template parser component located in the e/class/connect.php file, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious PHP code through carefully crafted templates, effectively bypassing normal security controls and executing arbitrary commands on the target server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the insecure handling of template variables within the ReplaceListVars function. When EmpireCMS processes templates containing user-supplied content, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape template variables before incorporating them into the execution context. This creates an environment where attackers can inject PHP code that gets executed during template rendering, effectively transforming the template processing mechanism into a code execution vector. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted remote code execution because it requires an attacker to have some level of access to template creation or modification, but does not require authentication to the CMS itself.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to web application security as it enables attackers to gain full control over the affected server. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core template processing functionality, which is fundamental to how the CMS renders content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple pages and functionalities that rely on template parsing. Organizations running EmpireCMS 6.6 are at significant risk since the attack surface includes any template-based content management features.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," indicating that this flaw can be leveraged through publicly accessible web interfaces. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and sanitization practices that are common in legacy web applications. The lack of proper escaping or filtering of template variables creates a direct path for attackers to inject malicious payloads that bypass standard security measures. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest version of EmpireCMS, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other components. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper template sanitization and input validation in all web applications, particularly those that process user-generated content through template systems.