CVE-2018-12993 in OneFileCMS
Summary
by MITRE
onefilecms.php in OneFileCMS through 2012-04-14 might allow attackers to conduct brute-force attacks via the onefilecms_username and onefilecms_password fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12993 affects OneFileCMS versions up to and including the 2012-04-14 release, presenting a significant security risk through its susceptibility to brute-force authentication attacks. This flaw exists within the onefilecms.php script which handles user authentication processes, making it a critical target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication mechanism by allowing attackers to repeatedly attempt login credentials through the onefilecms_username and onefilecms_password fields, thereby creating an environment conducive to automated attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate rate limiting and authentication controls within the CMS authentication flow. When attackers submit login requests through the vulnerable parameters, the system fails to implement proper protective measures such as account lockout mechanisms, temporary IP blocking, or request throttling. This absence of defensive controls enables attackers to conduct systematic brute-force attempts without meaningful restrictions, potentially exhausting all valid username-password combinations through automated tools. The flaw represents a classic implementation of CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, where the system does not adequately protect against repeated authentication attempts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations utilizing the affected CMS version, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to gain unauthorized administrative access. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, unauthorized content modification, or the installation of malicious payloads. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the CMS, meaning that even if other security controls are in place, the brute-force attack vector could bypass them entirely. This risk is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects a widely used content management system, potentially exposing numerous websites to coordinated attack campaigns.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including the deployment of rate limiting controls, account lockout policies, and IP address monitoring to prevent automated brute-force attacks. Network-level protections such as firewall rules and intrusion prevention systems should be configured to detect and block excessive authentication attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and regularly review system logs for suspicious authentication patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 - Brute Force: Password Guessing, which emphasizes the importance of implementing robust authentication controls to prevent credential stuffing and brute-force attacks. System administrators should also ensure that the CMS is updated to the latest version where this vulnerability has been addressed, as the affected version appears to be significantly outdated and likely contains additional unpatched security issues.