CVE-2016-10775 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 60.0.25 allows arbitrary file-chown operations via reassign_post_terminate_cruft (SEC-173).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10775 affects cPanel versions prior to 60.0.25 and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables unauthorized users to perform arbitrary file ownership changes through the reassign_post_terminate_cruft functionality. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the cPanel administrative interface, specifically targeting the file ownership management system. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file ownership permissions across the system, potentially enabling them to gain elevated privileges or compromise system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the reassign_post_terminate_cruft function which handles cleanup operations after certain processes terminate. This function fails to properly validate user input parameters before executing file ownership change operations, creating a path for malicious input to be interpreted as legitimate commands. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level where file ownership changes can be leveraged to escalate privileges or manipulate system files. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation and privilege management, specifically CWE-20 for improper input validation and CWE-269 for improper privilege management. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation and T1548.1 which covers abuse of application permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to manipulate file ownership across the entire system, potentially enabling them to modify critical system files, create backdoors, or escalate privileges to root level access. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to change ownership of sensitive files such as configuration files, binaries, or system libraries, thereby compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments where multiple users may have access to cPanel interfaces, as it could enable one user to affect another user's files or escalate their privileges beyond normal boundaries.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of cPanel to version 60.0.25 or later, which includes proper input validation and access control measures for the affected functionality. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of file ownership changes and access patterns to detect anomalous behavior. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of file ownership permissions and implement automated scanning tools to detect similar vulnerabilities in other system components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should be enhanced to identify and remediate such privilege escalation vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.