CVE-2014-8705 in Wonder
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in editInplace.php in Wonder CMS 2014 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the hook parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8705 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in Wonder CMS 2014's editInplace.php component. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the hook parameter which is directly used in a PHP include statement without adequate security controls, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-98, which classifies it as "Improper Control of Resource Identifiers ('Resource Injection')" and specifically falls under the category of "Remote File Inclusion" attacks. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the hook parameter through HTTP requests, allowing them to specify external URLs that contain malicious PHP code. When the application processes this parameter, it executes the included code with the privileges of the web server, potentially granting full system access to remote threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected system. Once exploited, attackers can establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify website content, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. Organizations using Wonder CMS 2014 are particularly at risk since this flaw allows attackers to bypass traditional security controls and execute code directly on the server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8705 should include immediate patching of the affected Wonder CMS version, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and restricting file inclusion operations to predefined, trusted sources only. Security measures should enforce strict parameter validation using allowlists rather than denylists, implement proper content security policies, and utilize web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues across their infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote file inclusion attacks, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe privilege escalation and system compromise scenarios.