CVE-2016-10752 in Serendipity
Summary
by MITRE
serendipity_moveMediaDirectory in Serendipity 2.0.3 allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code because it mishandles an extensionless filename during a rename, as demonstrated by "php" as a filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10752 affects Serendipity 2.0.3, a content management system that suffers from a critical security flaw in its media directory handling functionality. This issue stems from improper validation of file names during the renaming process, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability specifically resides in the serendipity_moveMediaDirectory function which fails to properly sanitize file names that lack extensions, allowing attackers to manipulate the system's file handling mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker uploads a file with a name that appears to be extensionless, such as "php", which the system interprets incorrectly during the rename operation. This mismanagement occurs because the application does not adequately validate or sanitize file names before processing them, particularly when the filename lacks a proper extension. The vulnerability exploits a classic input validation weakness where the system assumes that certain file name patterns are safe without proper verification, creating a scenario where malicious file names can bypass security checks. This flaw operates under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and specifically aligns with CWE-434 which addresses "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type."
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server without authentication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload malicious PHP scripts that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it does not require any prior authentication credentials, making it accessible to anyone who can submit files to the system. This vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a backdoor into the system that can be used to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data, representing a significant threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected Serendipity version to address the core validation issue in the media directory handling function. Organizations should implement comprehensive file name validation that rejects or sanitizes files with suspicious naming patterns, particularly those that appear extensionless or contain potentially dangerous characters. The system should enforce strict file extension validation and implement proper content-type checking to prevent the execution of malicious code. Security measures should include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious file upload patterns, implementing least privilege access controls for file upload operations, and establishing regular security audits of file handling mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" indicating that attackers can exploit the application to execute malicious code. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding practices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future, aligning with defensive techniques outlined in MITRE ATT&CK framework for application security hardening.