CVE-2018-10522 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
In CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) through 2.2.7, the "file view" operation in the admin dashboard contains a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability, exploitable by ordinary users, because the product exposes unrestricted access to the PHP file_get_contents function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10522 affects CMS Made Simple versions up to 2.2.7 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the administrative dashboard functionality. This vulnerability specifically impacts the "file view" operation which allows unauthorized users to access sensitive system information through the exposure of the PHP file_get_contents function without proper access controls. The flaw exists in the web application's permission model where ordinary users can leverage this functionality to retrieve content from files that should be restricted to administrators only, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this content management system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the CMSMS admin interface. When users access the file view functionality, the system fails to properly authenticate and authorize requests before executing the file_get_contents operation, which is a PHP function designed to read file contents into a string. This exposure allows attackers to specify arbitrary file paths and potentially access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic case of inadequate access control measures that permit unauthorized data retrieval.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using CMSMS as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as compromised configuration files may reveal database connection strings, API keys, or other credentials that could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges by accessing session files, user credential storage, or system configuration files that contain critical authentication parameters. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through file and directory listing, and represents a significant threat to the confidentiality and integrity of web applications.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to CMSMS versions 2.2.8 or later where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper access controls for administrative functions, and conducting thorough security assessments of their web applications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular monitoring of administrative access logs should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, particularly in administrative interfaces where sensitive operations are performed. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regularly reviewing system permissions to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive functionality. Organizations utilizing CMSMS should prioritize patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation of such vulnerabilities.