CVE-2015-10009 in nterchange
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability was found in nterchange up to 4.1.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function getContent of the file app/controllers/code_caller_controller.php. The manipulation of the argument q with the input %5C%27%29;phpinfo%28%29;/* leads to code injection. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 4.1.1 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is fba7d89176fba8fe289edd58835fe45080797d99. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-217187.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
This critical vulnerability exists in the nterchange platform version 4.1.0 and earlier, specifically within the getContent function of the app/controllers/code_caller_controller.php file. The flaw represents a severe code injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code through improper input validation. The vulnerability is triggered when the argument q receives malicious input containing the sequence %5C%27%29%3Bphpinfo%28%29%3B%2F%2A which translates to a backslash followed by a single quote, closing parenthesis, semicolon, phpinfo() function call, and comment syntax. This manipulation exploits a lack of proper input sanitization and validation, creating an execution path where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into PHP code execution without adequate security controls. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively exploitable, making it a significant risk to systems running affected versions of the platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of injection flaws in software applications. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the application's context, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application" as it represents an attack vector that targets publicly accessible web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insufficient input validation where the application fails to properly escape or sanitize user-provided parameters before using them in code execution contexts, creating a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute system commands, access sensitive data, modify application behavior, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The phpinfo() function call in the payload suggests the attacker is attempting to gather system information to aid in further exploitation. In a production environment, this vulnerability could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risk as the exploit is publicly available and actively used in the wild. The vulnerability affects not just the application's functionality but also its underlying security posture, potentially compromising the entire hosting environment.
Mitigation of this vulnerability requires immediate action through the recommended upgrade to version 4.1.1, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash fba7d89176fba8fe289edd58835fe45080797d99. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade as a critical security measure and implement proper input validation controls to prevent similar issues in the future. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, applying proper parameter sanitization, and conducting regular security assessments. The patch addresses the root cause by properly validating and sanitizing input parameters before they are processed by the application, ensuring that malicious payloads cannot be executed. Organizations should also review their input handling mechanisms across all application components and consider implementing automated security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors.