CVE-2014-2302 in webEdition
Summary
by MITRE
The installer script in webEdition CMS before 6.2.7-s1 and 6.3.x before 6.3.8-s1 allows remote attackers to conduct PHP Object Injection attacks by intercepting a request to update.webedition.org.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2302 represents a critical security flaw in webEdition CMS versions prior to 6.2.7-s1 and 6.3.x versions before 6.3.8-s1. This vulnerability manifests through the installer script's improper handling of remote update requests, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute PHP Object Injection attacks. The flaw specifically occurs when the system intercepts requests directed to update.webedition.org, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the update process and inject malicious PHP objects into the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the installer script's communication with the update server. When the CMS attempts to fetch and process update information from update.webedition.org, the system fails to properly validate the received data before deserializing PHP objects. This creates a dangerous scenario where attacker-controlled data can be deserialized, leading to arbitrary code execution on the target server. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which categorizes deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security weakness, and represents a classic example of insecure deserialization that enables remote code execution through object injection techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can result in complete system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the vulnerable webEdition CMS installations, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local credentials to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This attack vector also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of PHP for execution of malicious code, and T1105, which involves command and scripting interpreter for remote code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2302 focus primarily on immediate patching of affected webEdition CMS versions to the secure releases 6.2.7-s1 and 6.3.8-s1. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict outbound connections to update.webedition.org, though this approach may impact legitimate update functionality. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious update requests, conducting thorough code reviews of the installer script to ensure proper input validation, and establishing robust monitoring for unauthorized update activities. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation and ensure that update processes are conducted through secure channels with proper certificate validation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure deserialization practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly those that process external data from update servers.