CVE-2016-10825 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 55.9999.141 allows attackers to bypass a Security Policy by faking static documents (SEC-92).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10825 affects cPanel versions prior to 55.9999.141 and represents a critical security policy bypass flaw that undermines the integrity of the web server's access control mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the security framework implemented within cPanel's static document handling system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent established security policies that should normally restrict unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw operates by exploiting weaknesses in how the system validates and processes static content requests, allowing attackers to manipulate the authentication and authorization flow through crafted requests that appear legitimate to the security policy engine.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of static document requests within cPanel's security architecture, which creates a condition where attackers can craft requests that mimic legitimate static content access patterns. This allows adversaries to bypass security policies that should normally enforce access controls based on user permissions, session validation, or other authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically relates to how the system handles static document serving and authentication checks, creating a scenario where requests for static content can be manipulated to bypass the normal security policy enforcement mechanisms. This flaw essentially allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions by leveraging the trust placed in static document requests within the security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially gain access to restricted administrative functions, sensitive configuration data, or other protected resources within the cPanel environment. Attackers could leverage this bypass to access areas of the system that should normally require proper authentication and authorization, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations using cPanel versions below the patched threshold, creating a window of opportunity for adversaries who understand the specific attack pattern required to exploit the security policy bypass mechanism. This represents a significant risk to web hosting environments where cPanel serves as the primary administrative interface for managing multiple websites and user accounts.
Organizations should immediately implement the security patch released by cPanel for version 55.9999.141 and higher, which addresses the static document validation flaw that enables the bypass of security policies. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patching, as the vulnerability could have enabled persistent access to protected system resources. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to cPanel administrative interfaces, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious static document request patterns, and conducting regular security audits of the cPanel configuration to ensure proper access controls remain in place. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it exploits legitimate access patterns to bypass security controls rather than through direct credential theft or brute force attacks.