CVE-2014-1836 in ImpressCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in htdocs/libraries/image-editor/image-edit.php in ImpressCMS before 1.3.6 allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via a full pathname in the image_path parameter in a cancel action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
The CVE-2014-1836 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the ImpressCMS content management system prior to version 1.3.6. This vulnerability exists in the image-edit.php file located within the htdocs/libraries/image-editor directory, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths and execute unauthorized file operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes the image_path parameter during a cancel action, enabling remote attackers to specify absolute file paths that bypass normal access controls and directory restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input in the image_path parameter. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing a full pathname in the image_path field, the application fails to validate or sanitize this input before using it in file system operations. This lack of proper input validation creates an opportunity for attackers to traverse the file system and target arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for file deletion operations, meaning attackers can not only read files but also permanently remove them from the system, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of the entire CMS installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass complete system compromise and data destruction. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to delete critical system files, configuration files, or even the entire CMS installation, effectively rendering the website inaccessible. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to delete log files or other security-related artifacts, making their activities harder to detect and investigate. The implications are particularly severe in shared hosting environments where multiple sites may be hosted on the same server, as an attacker could potentially target files belonging to other applications or users. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic example of path traversal attacks that have been documented in numerous security advisories over the years.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1836 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the affected application. System administrators should upgrade to ImpressCMS version 1.3.6 or later, which includes proper input validation for the image_path parameter. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and restricting file system permissions can help limit the damage from such attacks. The application should validate that all file paths are relative to a designated directory and reject any absolute paths or path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\\. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns in HTTP requests. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized file deletion activities and anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their CMS installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1070 Indicator Removal on Host, as attackers can use such vulnerabilities to execute commands and subsequently remove evidence of their activities.