CVE-2016-10082 in Serendipity
Summary
by MITRE
include/functions_installer.inc.php in Serendipity through 2.0.5 is vulnerable to File Inclusion and a possible Code Execution attack during a first-time installation because it fails to sanitize the dbType POST parameter before adding it to an include() call in the bundled-libs/serendipity_generateFTPChecksums.php file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10082 affects Serendipity versions through 2.0.5 and represents a critical security flaw in the application's installation process. This issue resides within the include/functions_installer.inc.php file which handles the initial setup procedures for the content management system. The vulnerability manifests during first-time installations when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input, specifically the dbType POST parameter that is passed to the installation routine. This oversight creates a path for remote attackers to manipulate the installation process and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic file inclusion pattern where user-controllable input directly influences the include() function call within the bundled-libs/serendipity_generateFTPChecksums.php file. When an attacker submits a malicious dbType parameter during installation, the application incorporates this unvalidated input into a file inclusion operation without proper sanitization or validation. This flaw aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper input validation leading to inclusion of arbitrary files, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate input sanitization before any dynamic code execution or file operations. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to specify any file path that can be included, potentially leading to remote code execution when combined with other attack vectors or when the application is configured to include files from predictable locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks. During the initial installation phase, when system administrators are configuring the application, an attacker could exploit this weakness to inject malicious code that would execute with the privileges of the web server process. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning because installation procedures are often less monitored than regular application operations, and administrators might not expect malicious input to be possible during setup processes. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the web application's interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Serendipity installations to version 2.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to installation interfaces and ensure that these processes are only available to authorized administrators. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple levels, including parameter sanitization, file path validation, and ensuring that only predefined, safe values are accepted for database type specifications. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual installation activities or unexpected file inclusion patterns during the setup process. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs in web applications, particularly during administrative and configuration operations where the attack surface is most expansive.