CVE-2018-10132 in PbootCMS
Summary
by MITRE
PbootCMS v0.9.8 has CSRF via an admin.php/Message/mod/id/19.html?backurl=/index.php request, resulting in PHP code injection in the recontent parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-10132 affects PbootCMS version 0.9.8 and represents a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that can lead to remote code execution through PHP code injection. This issue manifests when an authenticated administrator interacts with a maliciously crafted request targeting the admin.php/Message/mod/id/19.html endpoint with a backurl parameter pointing to /index.php. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the message modification functionality, specifically in how the recontent parameter is processed. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server, potentially enabling full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a CSRF vector that manipulates the administrative interface of PbootCMS. When an administrator visits a malicious page containing a hidden form submission or embedded script that targets the vulnerable endpoint, the system processes the recontent parameter without proper validation. This parameter is then used in a context where PHP code execution occurs, creating a direct path for arbitrary code injection. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-352 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery issues. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets an existing administrative session, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed without authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. An attacker with access to an administrator session can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, potentially gaining access to sensitive databases, uploading malicious files, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and underlying infrastructure. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for PHP code injection and T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack chain typically involves initial access through a CSRF vector followed by code execution, which can lead to further lateral movement within the network. The impact is particularly severe given that PbootCMS is a content management system that often handles sensitive business data and user information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10132 require immediate patching of the affected PbootCMS version to address the CSRF and input validation flaws. Organizations should implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms including the use of anti-CSRF tokens in all administrative forms and requests. The system should enforce strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters, particularly those used in code execution contexts. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit administrative access to trusted networks only. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all web applications and frameworks in use.