CVE-2015-2845 in GoAdmin CE
Summary
by MITRE
The cpanel function in go_site.php in GoAutoDial GoAdmin CE before 3.3-1421902800 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the $type portion of the PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2845 resides within the GoAutoDial GoAdmin Community Edition software, specifically in the cpanel function located in the go_site.php file. This flaw represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability that arises from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of PATH_INFO parameters. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 3.3-1421902800, indicating a specific timeframe of exposure that highlights the importance of timely security updates in enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the $type parameter within the PATH_INFO variable, which is typically used by web applications to pass additional information to scripts. When an attacker crafts a malicious PATH_INFO string containing arbitrary command sequences, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before processing it within the cpanel function. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct path for command injection attacks, allowing remote adversaries to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web application user. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts, and represents a classic example of command injection flaws that have been consistently identified as critical security risks across numerous security frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it provides attackers with potentially full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to the underlying operating system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system persistence mechanisms, privilege escalation, and further network reconnaissance. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts, as exploitation typically requires an attacker to first establish a valid account or gain access to existing credentials before executing malicious commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2845 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest stable version of GoAutoDial GoAdmin CE. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach these critical systems. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened throughout the application codebase, with particular attention to how PATH_INFO variables are processed. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues within other applications and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent command injection vulnerabilities from being introduced into the codebase. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and the potential consequences when such controls are inadequate in web applications processing user-supplied data through server-side execution contexts.