CVE-2014-2293 in Application Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Zikula Application Framework before 1.3.7 build 11 allows remote attackers to conduct PHP object injection attacks and delete arbitrary files or execute arbitrary PHP code via crafted serialized data in the (1) authentication_method_ser or (2) authentication_info_ser parameter to index.php, or (3) zikulaMobileTheme parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2293 affects the Zikula Application Framework version 1.3.6 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to perform PHP object injection attacks through manipulated serialized data parameters. This vulnerability exists within the framework's handling of user authentication and theme selection mechanisms, specifically targeting three distinct parameter inputs in the index.php file. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of serialized data, creating an exploitation vector that allows attackers to manipulate the application's object instantiation process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through PHP's unserialize() function, which processes serialized data without adequate security measures. When attackers craft malicious serialized objects and inject them through the authentication_method_ser or authentication_info_ser parameters, the framework's deserialization process inadvertently executes arbitrary PHP code or facilitates file deletion operations. The third vulnerable parameter, zikulaMobileTheme, presents an additional attack surface where serialized data can be manipulated to achieve similar outcomes. This represents a classic PHP object injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses the danger of deserializing untrusted data in PHP applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with remote code execution capabilities that can compromise entire web applications. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability's reach extends beyond simple code execution to include arbitrary file deletion, which can be used to remove critical application components, corrupt data, or disable security mechanisms. This type of attack directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PHP and T1486 for data destruction.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to Zikula Application Framework version 1.3.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent unauthorized deserialization of malicious data. Additionally, implementing input validation measures, sanitizing all user-supplied data, and employing proper parameterized queries can help mitigate similar risks. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual patterns in serialized data usage and monitoring for unauthorized file operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure deserialization practices in web applications and serves as a reminder of the potential devastation that can result from insufficient validation of serialized data inputs in PHP environments.