CVE-2018-10740 in Axublog
Summary
by MITRE
Axublog 1.1.0 allows remote Code Execution as demonstrated by injection of PHP code (contained in the webkeywords parameter) into the cmsconfig.php file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10740 affects Axublog version 1.1.0 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious PHP code into the cmsconfig.php file through the webkeywords parameter. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-94, which specifically addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands, making it a severe security concern for web applications. The flaw exists due to inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the blogging platform's parameter handling processes, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal security controls and execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before processing it and storing it within the cmsconfig.php file. When a user submits data through the webkeywords parameter, the application does not adequately validate or escape the input, creating a pathway for attackers to inject PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for complete system compromise without requiring authentication or privileged access. The attack vector operates through a simple HTTP request that includes malicious PHP code within the webkeywords parameter, which then gets written to the cmsconfig.php file and executed when the application processes it.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once successful, the attacker can execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system enumeration, lateral movement within the network, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects any system running Axublog 1.1.0 and is particularly concerning because it allows for code execution without requiring user interaction or authentication, making it highly attractive to automated exploitation tools. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing commands through web shells and can be leveraged for privilege escalation and post-exploitation activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10740 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software to version 1.1.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters that are later written to configuration files. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web server processes run with minimal necessary permissions and that configuration files are properly protected from unauthorized modification. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious activities related to parameter injection attacks. Security monitoring should include regular file integrity checks of critical configuration files like cmsconfig.php to detect unauthorized modifications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads and conduct thorough security assessments of all web applications to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities that could be exploited in similar ways.