CVE-2018-10424 in miniCMS
Summary
by MITRE
mc-admin/post-edit.php in MiniCMS 1.10 allows full path disclosure via a modified id field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10424 resides within the mc-admin/post-edit.php component of MiniCMS version 1.10, representing a critical information disclosure weakness that exposes sensitive system paths to unauthorized users. This flaw manifests when an attacker manipulates the id parameter within the post-edit.php script, enabling them to retrieve complete file system paths that are typically hidden from external access. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's security posture by providing attackers with detailed knowledge of the server's file structure, which serves as a foundation for subsequent exploitation attempts.
This security weakness falls under the category of full path disclosure as classified by CWE-423, where the application inadvertently reveals absolute or relative file paths during error handling or normal operation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling practices within the MiniCMS administration interface, specifically in how the system processes the id parameter without proper sanitization or access control measures. When the modified id field is processed, the application fails to properly validate user input, allowing maliciously crafted parameters to trigger the disclosure of internal file system paths that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering, as it significantly increases the attack surface for potential exploitation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to critical system information including absolute file paths, directory structures, and potentially server configuration details. This disclosure enables more sophisticated attacks such as local file inclusion vulnerabilities, directory traversal attempts, or other path-based exploitation techniques that could lead to complete system compromise. The exposure of internal paths also aids in bypassing security controls and understanding the target environment's architecture, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-layered attack scenarios.
The implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, as it provides adversaries with essential reconnaissance information that facilitates further compromise. Organizations using MiniCMS 1.10 are particularly vulnerable as this flaw affects the administrative backend, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges or access sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices in input validation and error handling, which are fundamental requirements specified in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 security controls. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing proper input validation, sanitization of user parameters, and ensuring that error messages do not expose internal system information. The most effective mitigation involves updating to a patched version of MiniCMS, implementing proper parameter validation, and configuring the application to suppress detailed error information in production environments.