CVE-2014-2936 in Caldera
Summary
by MITRE
The directory manager in Caldera 9.20 allows remote attackers to conduct variable-injection attacks in the global scope via (1) the maindir_hotfolder parameter to dirmng/index.php, or an unspecified parameter to (2) PPD/index.php, (3) dirmng/docmd.php, or (4) dirmng/param.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2936 resides within the directory manager component of Caldera version 9.20, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute variable-injection attacks in a global scope. This vulnerability manifests through multiple entry points within the application's directory management system, specifically targeting parameters within four distinct files that handle directory operations and configuration management. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before processing, creating an environment where malicious inputs can be injected into the application's variable context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of insecure parameter handling within the web application's core directory management functions. Attackers can manipulate the maindir_hotfolder parameter in dirmng/index.php to inject malicious variables that persist in the global scope, while similar injection opportunities exist in PPD/index.php through unspecified parameters. The vulnerability extends to additional files including dirmng/docmd.php and dirmng/param.php, indicating a systemic issue in how the application processes directory-related parameters across its codebase. These injection points allow attackers to manipulate variables that affect the application's behavior and potentially execute arbitrary code or modify system configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with the capability to conduct variable-injection attacks without requiring authentication or local access to the system. The global scope nature of the vulnerability means that injected variables can affect the entire application runtime environment rather than being isolated to specific functions or modules. This creates potential for widespread system compromise, including unauthorized access to directory structures, modification of configuration parameters, and possible privilege escalation within the application's directory management capabilities. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to manipulate the application's internal state through carefully crafted parameter inputs that bypass normal validation procedures.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic example of insecure parameter handling that enables code injection attacks. The attack pattern follows the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" where attackers execute malicious commands through injected variables. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive directory management operations. Organizations using Caldera 9.20 should consider implementing immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and application firewalls to prevent exploitation of these injection points. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing variable injection attacks that can compromise entire application environments.