CVE-2016-10852 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 11.54.0.4 lacks ACL enforcement in the AppConfig subsystem (SEC-85).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10852 affects cPanel versions prior to 11.54.0.4 and resides within the AppConfig subsystem where critical access control mechanisms are missing or improperly implemented. This represents a significant security weakness that allows unauthorized users to bypass intended access restrictions and potentially gain elevated privileges within the cPanel environment. The AppConfig subsystem is responsible for managing application configurations and settings, making it a critical component that requires robust access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications or data access.
This flaw constitutes a failure in implementing proper access control lists as mandated by security standards and best practices. The absence of ACL enforcement means that users who should not have access to certain configuration parameters or system resources can manipulate them, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284 which describes improper access control scenarios where systems fail to properly enforce access restrictions. The weakness exists at the application level where user permissions are not adequately validated before allowing configuration modifications or data access operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can enable attackers to manipulate critical system settings, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could modify application configurations, alter system parameters, or gain access to sensitive data that should be restricted to authorized administrators only. This weakness particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same cPanel instance, as it undermines the isolation and security boundaries that should exist between different user accounts and administrative functions. The vulnerability can be exploited by users with minimal privileges to escalate their access rights and gain deeper system control.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected cPanel installations to version 11.54.0.4 or later where the ACL enforcement has been properly implemented. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred before the patch was applied. System administrators should review existing access controls and user permissions to ensure that proper least privilege principles are maintained. The remediation process should include monitoring for unusual configuration changes and implementing additional security layers such as network segmentation and enhanced logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and align their approach with ATT&CK framework tactics related to privilege escalation and defense evasion.