CVE-2017-6072 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
CMS Made Simple version 1.x Form Builder before version 0.8.1.6 allows remote attackers to conduct information-disclosure attacks via defaultadmin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6072 affects CMS Made Simple version 1.x Form Builder prior to 0.8.1.6 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. This vulnerability specifically targets the defaultadmin account, which serves as a primary attack vector for malicious actors seeking to extract confidential data from affected systems. The flaw resides in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the Form Builder module, where improper access controls allow unauthorized users to obtain administrative credentials and system details without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user privileges within the Form Builder component of CMS Made Simple. When the system processes requests related to the defaultadmin account, it fails to properly verify whether the requesting entity possesses legitimate administrative rights. This weakness creates a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system's default administrative credentials, potentially gaining access to database information, configuration files, and other sensitive data that should remain restricted to authorized personnel. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or credentials to initiate the attack, making it particularly dangerous in environments where default accounts remain enabled and unchanged.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2017-6072 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and data breaches. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can extract administrative credentials, which may then be used to escalate privileges within the CMS environment. The disclosure of system information includes database connection details, user account information, and potentially other sensitive configuration parameters that could facilitate further attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all access control mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many organizations fail to disable default administrative accounts or change default passwords, leaving systems vulnerable to this type of exploitation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows a pattern where attackers first identify the presence of the vulnerable Form Builder module, then attempt to access the defaultadmin account through predictable paths or brute force techniques. Once access is gained, the attacker can extract information about the underlying database structure, user permissions, and other system details that provide insights into the broader attack surface. This information can then be leveraged to plan more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1083 which covers file and directory discovery, highlighting the reconnaissance and privilege escalation capabilities that arise from such information disclosure vulnerabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the defaultadmin account when not actively required, changing default passwords to strong, unique credentials, and applying the available patch from CMS Made Simple version 0.8.1.6 or later. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while regular security audits should verify that default accounts are properly secured. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring for authentication attempts can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential compromise. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and following security best practices for credential management and access control within content management systems.