CVE-2016-10803 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 57.9999.105 allows newline injection via LOC records (CPANEL-6923).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2020
This vulnerability affects cPanel versions prior to 57.9999.105 and relates to improper input validation in the handling of DNS LOC (Location) records. The flaw enables attackers to inject newline characters into DNS record data, which can lead to various security implications including data manipulation and potential injection attacks. The vulnerability was identified as CPANEL-6923 and represents a classic input sanitization issue where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within DNS record contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of LOC record data within cPanel's DNS management interface. When users submit DNS LOC records containing newline characters, the application does not adequately sanitize these inputs, allowing malicious actors to inject additional data or manipulate existing records. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-74 category of Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, specifically manifesting as a form of injection attack where newline characters are used to alter the intended behavior of the DNS record processing mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate DNS resolution behavior and compromise the integrity of DNS zone files. An attacker could exploit this weakness to inject malicious DNS records or manipulate existing records to redirect traffic, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks or service disruption. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where cPanel is used for DNS management and where attackers have access to DNS record modification capabilities, making it a significant concern for system administrators managing critical network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to cPanel version 57.9999.105 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the newline injection issue. Organizations should also implement additional input validation measures at the application level, ensuring that all DNS record data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or stored. Network administrators should monitor DNS zone file integrity and implement proper access controls to limit who can modify DNS records. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers may use similar injection techniques to manipulate DNS configurations, though the specific technique focuses more on input validation rather than command execution. Organizations should also consider implementing DNS monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous record modifications and maintain regular backups of DNS configurations to facilitate recovery in case of successful exploitation.