CVE-2015-7774 in pWebManager
Summary
by MITRE
PC-EGG pWebManager before 3.3.10, and before 2.2.2 for PHP 4.x, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands by leveraging the editor role.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7774 affects PC-EGG pWebManager software versions prior to 3.3.10 for standard PHP installations and before 2.2.2 for PHP 4.x environments. This represents a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers with editor privileges to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the web application's command execution mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters that are subsequently passed to system commands. Attackers with editor roles can manipulate specific input fields to inject malicious command sequences that bypass normal security controls. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 and CWE-88 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which classify it as a command injection vulnerability where user-controllable data is incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization. The flaw operates at the intersection of improper input handling and privilege escalation, as the attacker requires authentication but not administrative privileges to exploit the vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An authenticated attacker with editor privileges can execute arbitrary OS commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application environment, as it allows for unauthorized access to system resources, file manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network. The attack surface extends beyond immediate command execution to include potential privilege escalation, as the executed commands typically run with the privileges of the web server process, which may have elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions to 3.3.10 or later for PHP 5.x environments and 2.2.2 or later for PHP 4.x environments. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent command injection attacks, following the principle of least privilege for user roles within the application. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script injection, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security operations teams implementing defensive measures.