CVE-2017-18458 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 62.0.17 allows file overwrite when renaming an account (SEC-219).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18458 represents a critical file overwrite flaw within cPanel software versions prior to 62.0.17. This security issue specifically affects the account renaming functionality within the cPanel administrative interface, creating a significant risk for system administrators who manage multiple user accounts. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms during the account renaming process, allowing unauthorized file modifications that can compromise system integrity and user data security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when cPanel processes account renaming requests through its administrative API or web interface. During this operation, the system fails to properly validate whether the target filename or directory structure already exists, enabling attackers to overwrite existing files with malicious content. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-126, which deals with Buffer Over-read conditions, and more specifically relates to CWE-22 which addresses Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw exploits a lack of proper file system access controls and validation routines that should normally prevent overwriting existing system files or user data during account management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18458 extends beyond simple file overwrites, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the cPanel environment. System administrators who perform routine account management tasks may unknowingly trigger this vulnerability when renaming accounts, particularly when dealing with accounts that share similar naming conventions or when the target directory structure contains existing files. This vulnerability can be exploited through the cPanel API or web interface, making it accessible to both authenticated and potentially unauthenticated attackers depending on the system configuration and access controls in place. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate administrative functions to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Organizations running affected cPanel versions should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to cPanel 62.0.17 or later, which includes proper input validation and access control measures for account renaming operations. System administrators should also review and implement additional security controls such as restricting API access to trusted IP addresses, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conducting regular audits of account management activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights how seemingly routine administrative functions can become attack vectors when proper security controls are absent. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative API calls can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all cPanel components are updated to the latest secure versions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.