CVE-2016-10812 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
In cPanel before 57.9999.54, /scripts/enablefileprotect exposed TTYs (SEC-117).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10812 affects cPanel versions prior to 57.9999.54 and specifically involves the /scripts/enablefileprotect utility which inadvertently exposes TTYs. This represents a significant security flaw in the file protection mechanism that could allow unauthorized access to terminal sessions. The issue stems from improper handling of terminal device permissions within the script execution environment, creating potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and session hijacking. The vulnerability was categorized under security advisory SEC-117, indicating its critical nature within the cPanel security framework.
The technical flaw manifests when the enablefileprotect script fails to properly secure terminal sessions during file protection operations. This exposure occurs because the script does not adequately manage the terminal device file descriptors, allowing malicious actors to potentially access or manipulate active terminal sessions. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected, particularly affecting users who rely on cPanel for hosting and server management. The flaw specifically impacts the TTY (teletypewriter) device handling within the Unix-like terminal environment, which serves as the interface for user interaction with system commands.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses severe risks to cPanel administrators and their hosted environments. Attackers could exploit the exposed TTYs to intercept commands, access sensitive information, or escalate privileges within the system. The impact extends beyond individual user sessions to potentially compromise entire hosting environments where multiple users share the same cPanel instance. Organizations relying on cPanel for web hosting services face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to customer accounts, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects both the administrative interface and user-facing components of the cPanel system, making it particularly dangerous for shared hosting environments where security isolation is critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10812 require immediate implementation of the patched cPanel version 57.9999.54 or later, which properly addresses the TTY exposure issue. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their cPanel installations to verify that all instances have been updated and that no legacy versions remain in production. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls for the /scripts/enablefileprotect utility, monitoring terminal session activity for suspicious behavior, and ensuring proper file permissions are maintained for all terminal-related system files. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level security controls to limit access to cPanel administrative interfaces and regularly review system logs for signs of unauthorized terminal access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through system utilities.