CVE-2014-9185 in Morfy
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in install.php in Morfy CMS 1.05 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary PHP code into config.php via the site_url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9185 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the Morfy CMS 1.05 installation script. This issue specifically affects the install.php file which processes user input through the site_url parameter during the content management system setup process. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into the configuration file. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets directly written to the config.php file, enabling them to inject arbitrary PHP code that will execute within the web server context.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of code injection attacks and aligns with CWE-94, which describes the improper execution of code due to insufficient input validation. The flaw occurs during the installation phase when the system accepts user-provided site_url values without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject PHP code that gets persisted in the configuration file. The authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to exploit the flaw, though this requirement does not significantly reduce the overall risk given that CMS installations often have weak credential management practices. The injection occurs at the point of configuration file generation, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code becomes part of the core system configuration and executes with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected system. Once successfully exploited, the injected PHP code can perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, web shell deployment, or further system compromise. The persistence aspect of this vulnerability is particularly concerning since the malicious code becomes embedded in the config.php file, which is loaded and executed every time the CMS operates. This means that even if the initial attack vector is patched or the installation process is restarted, the injected code remains active and continues to pose a threat to system integrity. The vulnerability also creates potential for lateral movement within network environments, as attackers can use the compromised system as a foothold to access other connected systems. Furthermore, the injection affects the core configuration file, which can lead to system instability or complete compromise of the CMS functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9185 should focus on immediate patching of the Morfy CMS installation to the latest available version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures during the installation process, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo thorough sanitization before being processed or written to configuration files. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit who can access the installation scripts, reducing the attack surface. The principle of least privilege should be applied to web server processes, ensuring that configuration file modifications are restricted to authorized users only. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the system. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized modifications to configuration files, and automated vulnerability scanning tools should be employed to identify potential injection points throughout the application. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the ATT&CK framework's code injection techniques, which emphasize the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent such persistent security flaws.