CVE-2018-10574 in BigTree
Summary
by MITRE
site/index.php/admin/trees/add/ in BigTree 4.2.22 and earlier allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code because the BigTreeStorage class in core/inc/bigtree/apis/storage.php does not prevent uploads of .htaccess files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10574 affects BigTree CMS versions 4.2.22 and earlier, specifically targeting the administrative file upload functionality within the trees management interface. This critical security flaw resides in the BigTreeStorage class implementation located in core/inc/bigtree/apis/storage.php, where inadequate input validation and file type restrictions permit malicious actors to bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users attempt to upload files through the site/index.php/admin/trees/add/ endpoint, creating a direct pathway for remote code execution attacks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of file uploads within the storage management system. The BigTreeStorage class fails to implement proper file extension validation or content type checking that would normally prevent the upload of sensitive configuration files such as .htaccess files. This oversight allows attackers to upload malicious .htaccess files that can be executed by the web server, effectively granting remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-434 as "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type" which represents a well-documented category of security flaws where applications fail to properly validate file uploads. The absence of proper sanitization mechanisms creates an environment where attackers can leverage the upload functionality to place malicious code on the server.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using affected BigTree installations, as it enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise through a single successful upload attempt. The ability to execute arbitrary PHP code through the upload of .htaccess files provides attackers with the capability to modify server configurations, inject malicious code into existing applications, or establish persistent access points. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1105 which describes the use of file and directory permissions to execute malicious code. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets administrative interfaces that typically have elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access to the full system. Organizations may experience data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the BigTree CMS environment.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of all affected BigTree installations to versions that properly address the file upload validation issue. Administrators should implement additional security measures including restrictive file upload policies that prevent the upload of configuration files such as .htaccess, .ini, and other sensitive file types. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious file upload attempts. The implementation of proper input validation and file type checking mechanisms within the storage class should be enforced to prevent any future occurrences. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their file upload functionalities and implement principle of least privilege access controls for administrative interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar issues within the application codebase and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components.