CVE-2017-7324 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
setup/templates/findcore.php in MODX Revolution 2.5.4-pl and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the core_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7324 resides within the MODX Revolution content management system version 2.5.4-pl and earlier, specifically in the setup/templates/findcore.php file. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code through manipulation of the core_path parameter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's setup process, creating an avenue for malicious code injection that can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the setup process attempts to include or reference files based on user-supplied input through the core_path parameter. This parameter is intended to define the core path for MODX installation but fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file inclusion operations. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to point to malicious PHP files or inject PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server process. The flaw essentially creates a path traversal or code injection vulnerability that bypasses normal security controls, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server where MODX is installed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected MODX versions. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone who can access the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of the web application, potentially allowing attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks against the internal network.
Organizations should immediately update to MODX Revolution version 2.5.5 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. The remediation process involves not only upgrading the software but also conducting thorough security assessments of the affected systems to ensure no malicious code has been executed. Security administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious file inclusion patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) when attackers leverage the executed code for further exploitation, making it a critical priority for immediate remediation.