CVE-2017-1000454 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
CMS Made Simple 2.1.6, 2.2, 2.2.1 are vulnerable to Smarty Template Injection in some core components, resulting in local file read before 2.2, and local file inclusion since 2.2.1
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000454 affects CMS Made Simple versions 2.1.6, 2.2, and 2.2.1, representing a critical template injection flaw within the Smarty template engine integration. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that allow attackers to inject malicious template code into the application's rendering pipeline. The flaw exists in the core components where Smarty template processing occurs, specifically in how user-supplied input is handled during template compilation and execution phases. The vulnerability manifests differently across the affected versions, creating a progression from read-only to full arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of template injection points within CMS Made Simple's template processing system. Attackers can manipulate template variables and parameters to inject malicious Smarty syntax that gets executed during template rendering. In versions prior to 2.2, the injection allows for local file read operations where attackers can traverse the file system and access sensitive files that should remain protected. This capability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the execution of arbitrary code through improper template handling. Since version 2.2.1, the vulnerability evolved to enable local file inclusion, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary files on the server, a progression that maps to CWE-88 and CWE-94. The attack vector typically involves manipulating parameters that are passed to Smarty template functions without proper sanitization, creating a path for code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise. Organizations running affected CMS Made Simple versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The local file read capability enables attackers to obtain sensitive configuration files, database credentials, and other system files that could reveal network architecture details. The local file inclusion vulnerability since version 2.2.1 provides attackers with the ability to upload and execute malicious payloads, potentially leading to persistent backdoors, privilege escalation, and full system control. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that rely on CMS Made Simple for content management, as successful exploitation can compromise entire websites and their associated data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000454 require immediate action to upgrade to patched versions of CMS Made Simple, specifically versions 2.2.2 and later. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent template injection attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being processed by the Smarty engine. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential attack surfaces, while regular security audits should verify that no malicious templates or code have been introduced into the system. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual file access patterns or template execution behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper template engine security practices and highlights the need for continuous security testing and patch management processes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and security headers to provide additional layers of protection against similar template injection vulnerabilities in other applications.