CVE-2018-0573 in BaserCMS
Summary
by MITRE
baserCMS (baserCMS 4.1.0.1 and earlier versions, baserCMS 3.0.15 and earlier versions) allows remote attackers to bypass access restriction for a content to view a file which is uploaded by a site user via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0573 affects baserCMS versions 4.1.0.1 and earlier, as well as version 3.0.15 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of web applications built on this content management system. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to bypass intended access restrictions, creating a pathway for remote attackers to gain visibility into files uploaded by legitimate site users. The vulnerability exists within the file access control system where proper authentication and authorization checks fail to adequately verify user permissions before granting access to uploaded content, thereby violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control enforcement.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves unspecified vectors that likely exploit weaknesses in the application's permission checking mechanisms or file path resolution processes. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access files that should only be available to authenticated users or specific user roles, potentially exposing sensitive data including user-uploaded documents, media files, or other confidential content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, where the CMS fails to properly validate whether a requesting user has legitimate authorization to access particular files within the system's file structure. This type of flaw commonly maps to CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues, and may also relate to CWE-352 concerning cross-site request forgery or CWE-22 for improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core CMS functionality related to content management and user access controls, making it a prime target for exploitation by threat actors seeking to access sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to potentially escalate privileges or conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised system. When users upload files through the CMS, these files typically contain user-specific data or business-critical information that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The ability to bypass access restrictions means that attackers can potentially access personal files, business documents, or other sensitive content that was intended to be private to specific user groups or roles. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration, identity theft, or the establishment of persistent access points within the compromised environment. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the system or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers from anywhere on the internet.
Organizations utilizing affected baserCMS versions should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the latest security patches released by the baserCMS development team. The most effective remediation involves strengthening the access control mechanisms within the CMS to ensure that proper authentication checks occur before any file access is granted, particularly for user-uploaded content. Security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that file access permissions are properly enforced and that there are no bypass paths in the authorization logic. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious access patterns and blocking unauthorized file access attempts. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control vulnerabilities, with particular attention to the file handling and user permission systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1041 for data extraction, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring and detection capabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure that security updates are deployed promptly across all affected systems, as this vulnerability represents a known risk that has been addressed through vendor-provided security patches.