CVE-2016-15044 in Video Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 07/24/2025
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Kaltura versions prior to 11.1.0-2 due to unsafe deserialization of user-controlled data within the keditorservices module. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this issue by sending a specially crafted serialized PHP object in the kdata GET parameter to the redirectWidgetCmd endpoint. Successful exploitation leads to execution of arbitrary PHP code in the context of the web server process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15044 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Kaltura media platform ecosystem. This security weakness specifically affects versions prior to 11.1.0-2 and stems from improper handling of user-supplied data within the keditorservices module. The vulnerability manifests through the redirectWidgetCmd endpoint which accepts a kdata GET parameter containing serialized PHP objects. This design flaw creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system, fundamentally compromising the platform's security posture and potentially leading to full system compromise.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes unsafe deserialization of untrusted data. The flaw occurs when the application deserializes user-controlled input without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that contain executable code. When the PHP deserialization process encounters these crafted objects, it inadvertently executes the malicious payload within the web server's execution context. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how the deserialization process can be exploited to bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform actions with the privileges of the web server process. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate media content, access sensitive user data, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that any attacker with access to the target network can potentially exploit this vulnerability without requiring valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the Kaltura platform is exposed to external traffic.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Kaltura version 11.1.0-2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this deserialization vulnerability. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block requests containing suspicious serialized PHP objects in the kdata parameter. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened to prevent deserialization of untrusted data, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the platform. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and implementing proper access controls to limit the potential damage from successful attacks. This vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly when dealing with serialized data in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation.