CVE-2012-6064 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in lib/filemanager/imagemanager/images.php in CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) before 1.11.2.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to delete arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the deld parameter. NOTE: this can be leveraged using CSRF (CVE-2012-5450) to allow remote attackers to delete arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6064 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the CMS Made Simple content management system. This vulnerability exists in the filemanager module's imagemanager component, specifically in the images.php script that handles file deletion operations. The issue affects all versions prior to 1.11.2.1 and fundamentally stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the deld parameter which controls file deletion functionality. When an authenticated administrator accesses the affected script with a maliciously crafted deld parameter containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot), the system fails to validate the path structure properly. This allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and target arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability specifically impacts the file deletion functionality rather than file upload or execution capabilities, though it can be combined with other attack vectors to create more severe consequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities. While the flaw requires authentication as an administrator, it represents a significant privilege escalation risk within the CMS environment. An attacker who has obtained administrative credentials could leverage this vulnerability to remove critical system files, configuration data, or even core CMS components that would compromise the entire system's functionality and potentially lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also demonstrates a broader pattern of insufficient input validation that can affect other file operations within the same module.
The combination of CVE-2012-6064 with CVE-2012-5450 creates a particularly dangerous attack scenario where a remote unauthenticated attacker could potentially exploit the directory traversal vulnerability through a cross-site request forgery attack. This combination transforms what would otherwise be a local privilege escalation vulnerability into a remote code execution threat. The CSRF vulnerability allows an attacker to trick an authenticated administrator into performing malicious file deletion operations without their knowledge or consent, effectively bypassing the authentication requirement. This exploitation pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and CSRF protection mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to CMS Made Simple version 1.11.2.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the affected parameters. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict file deletion permissions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability exemplifies CWE-22 directory traversal flaws that occur when untrusted input is used to construct file paths without proper validation. Security configurations should enforce strict input validation, implement proper path normalization, and utilize secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks. Regular security audits of CMS components and modules should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the system architecture.