CVE-2018-10523 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) through 2.2.7 contains a physical path leakage Vulnerability via /modules/DesignManager/action.ajax_get_templates.php, /modules/DesignManager/action.ajax_get_stylesheets.php, /modules/FileManager/dunzip.php, or /modules/FileManager/untgz.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2020
This vulnerability exists in CMS Made Simple versions up to 2.2.7 where sensitive physical path information is exposed through multiple module endpoints. The flaw manifests in the DesignManager module's ajax_get_templates.php and ajax_get_stylesheets.php scripts, as well as in the FileManager module's dunzip.php and untgz.php files. These scripts fail to properly sanitize error messages or handle file operations in a way that would prevent the disclosure of absolute file paths on the server. When these endpoints are accessed with malformed parameters or during file processing operations, they return detailed error information that includes the complete physical path to the CMS installation directory and associated files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through error messages, and represents a path leakage issue that can be classified under CWE-444. Attackers can exploit this weakness by making specific requests to the vulnerable endpoints, potentially gaining knowledge of the server's directory structure, file locations, and potentially sensitive system information. This information leakage can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal attempts, file inclusion exploits, or targeted attacks against specific file paths. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core administrative functionality modules that are likely to be accessible to authenticated users or even unauthenticated attackers depending on the specific implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be leveraged in subsequent attack phases. The exposed paths can reveal the exact installation directory structure, which may include version-specific paths, configuration file locations, and other sensitive directory layouts that could aid in bypassing security controls or identifying additional vulnerabilities. This information leakage can be particularly damaging in environments where multiple applications share the same server or where the CMS installation directory structure follows predictable naming conventions. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for privilege escalation attempts, as attackers can use the leaked paths to craft more targeted attacks against specific files or directories within the CMS installation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling across all affected modules, ensuring that error messages do not contain sensitive path information. Organizations should immediately upgrade to CMS Made Simple version 2.2.8 or later, as this vulnerability was addressed in the subsequent release. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for administrative endpoints can limit the exposure of these vulnerable scripts to unauthorized users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to these specific endpoints, and regular security audits should verify that no sensitive path information is being exposed through error handling mechanisms. The implementation of web application firewalls and security headers can also provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling practices and the potential consequences of exposing system information through application error messages.