CVE-2018-12065 in wityCMS
Summary
by MITRE
A Local File Inclusion vulnerability in /system/WCore/WHelper.php in Creatiwity wityCMS 0.6.2 allows remote attackers to include local PHP files (execute PHP code) or read non-PHP files by replacing a helper.json file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12065 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the Creatiwity wityCMS 0.6.2 content management system. This vulnerability resides in the /system/WCore/WHelper.php file and manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion behavior by replacing the helper.json configuration file, thereby creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution or unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize file paths before processing user-provided input. When the WHelper.php script processes requests, it appears to accept and directly incorporate user-controlled data into file inclusion operations without sufficient validation. This creates a condition where an attacker can craft malicious input that causes the application to include local PHP files, effectively enabling remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through a configuration file replacement mechanism, allowing attackers to bypass traditional input validation checks that might otherwise prevent such attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes the entire wityCMS 0.6.2 installation to potential compromise. Attackers who can submit data to the vulnerable application can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, potentially gaining full administrative control over the CMS installation. The ability to read non-PHP files through this mechanism also presents significant information disclosure risks, as attackers might access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential data stored on the server. The local file inclusion nature of this vulnerability means that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, including data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms, and further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application's data processing pipeline. The most effective approach involves removing or restricting the ability to dynamically include local files based on user input, particularly in configuration file handling processes. Organizations should implement strict file path validation that prevents directory traversal attacks and ensures that only explicitly allowed files can be included. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges, and proper access controls should be implemented to limit the impact of potential exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) while potentially mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the CMS.
The remediation process should include immediate patching of the affected CMS version, implementation of proper file inclusion validation, and comprehensive security testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the application. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logging of file access patterns to detect potential abuse of this vulnerability.