CVE-2018-12990 in phpwcms
Summary
by MITRE
phpwcms 1.8.9 allows remote attackers to discover the installation path via an invalid csrf_token_value field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12990 affects phpwcms version 1.8.9 and represents a path disclosure issue that occurs when the application processes an invalid csrf_token_value field. This flaw enables remote attackers to obtain sensitive information about the server's file system structure without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the content management system's cross-site request forgery protection mechanism, specifically when the system encounters malformed or invalid token values during request processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's response to malformed csrf_token_value inputs by inadvertently revealing the absolute installation path of the phpwcms system through error messages or response content. When an attacker submits an invalid csrf_token_value, the system's error handling routine processes this input and returns information that includes directory paths, which can be leveraged to understand the underlying server architecture. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with foundational knowledge about the target environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who discovers the installation path can subsequently target other vulnerabilities within the same system or use the path information for directory traversal attacks, local file inclusion exploits, or to plan targeted attacks against specific system components. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate error handling that violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CWE database. This flaw can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring special privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it allows any remote attacker to gather reconnaissance information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12990 should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the phpwcms application. System administrators should immediately upgrade to a patched version of phpwcms that addresses this vulnerability, as the issue affects the core security mechanisms of the content management system. Additionally, implementing proper error handling that does not expose system paths in error messages, using parameterized input validation for csrf tokens, and applying the principle of least privilege in error responses can significantly reduce the risk. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it enables attackers to gather system information that can be used for further exploitation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar issues in other applications and systems.