CVE-2014-9182 in Anchorcms
Summary
by MITRE
models/comment.php in Anchor CMS 0.9.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary headers into mail messages via a crafted Host: header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9182 affects Anchor CMS version 0.9.2 and earlier, representing a critical server-side vulnerability that enables remote attackers to manipulate email header injection mechanisms. This flaw exists within the models/comment.php file, which processes user-submitted comments that may contain maliciously crafted Host headers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-provided data that gets incorporated into email headers, creating a pathway for attackers to inject arbitrary headers into outgoing mail messages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in how the CMS handles user input within the comment submission process. When users submit comments containing malicious Host headers, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before incorporating it into email header fields. This improper handling creates an environment where attackers can inject additional headers such as From, To, CC, BCC, or even custom headers that alter the behavior of email delivery. The vulnerability specifically targets the mail header injection mechanism, allowing attackers to manipulate the email transmission process and potentially redirect messages or alter their content. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-110, which represents "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Email Headers" and falls within the broader category of injection vulnerabilities that compromise email security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple email manipulation, as it can enable attackers to conduct various malicious activities including spam distribution, phishing attacks, and email spoofing. By injecting arbitrary headers, attackers can make the CMS send emails that appear to originate from different addresses, potentially bypassing email authentication mechanisms and social engineering defenses. The vulnerability also allows for the injection of additional email headers that could alter message routing, add attachments, or modify message content, creating opportunities for more sophisticated attack vectors. This weakness particularly affects organizations that rely on Anchor CMS for comment management on websites, as it provides attackers with a direct method to compromise the email communication channels of the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9182 should focus on immediate patching of the Anchor CMS to version 0.9.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all user-provided data before it is processed or incorporated into email headers. The implementation of proper header validation techniques, including the use of allowlists for valid header values and the removal of potentially dangerous characters, should be enforced. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing email security controls such as DMARC, SPF, and DKIM to help detect and prevent email spoofing attempts. Network-level protections including email filtering systems and monitoring for unusual email patterns can provide additional layers of defense. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1078 "Valid Accounts" as attackers may use compromised systems to send malicious emails, while the underlying technique falls under T1566 "Phishing" through email header injection. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other applications that process user-submitted data into email contexts.