CVE-2018-12994 in OneFileCMS
Summary
by MITRE
onefilecms.php in OneFileCMS through 2012-04-14 might allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a .php filename on the New File screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12994 affects OneFileCMS version 2012-04-14 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper input validation mechanisms. This flaw exists within the onefilecms.php component and specifically targets the New File screen functionality where users can create new files within the content management system. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate file names submitted by users, particularly when these names contain .php extensions. This weakness creates an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code within the target system, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially compromising the entire server infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward yet dangerous mechanism where an attacker submits a filename containing a .php extension through the New File interface. When the system processes this input without adequate validation, it treats the submitted filename as a legitimate PHP file to be created or modified. This allows the attacker to inject malicious PHP code directly into the file system, which then executes with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of executing arbitrary code, and specifically represents a code injection flaw that can lead to complete system compromise. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting critical information.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader system compromise and data integrity breaches. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can gain unauthorized access to the underlying file system, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, user databases, or other critical application components. The vulnerability also enables lateral movement within network environments, as compromised systems can serve as launching points for further attacks against connected systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059.001 for command and script injection, T1078 for valid accounts, and T1566 for malicious file execution. Organizations running affected versions of OneFileCMS face significant risk exposure, as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools, making it particularly attractive to threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12994 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of OneFileCMS that properly validates and sanitizes all user-supplied file names, particularly those containing executable extensions. Organizations should implement strict input validation policies that reject or sanitize any filename containing .php or other executable extensions when creating new files through the CMS interface. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative privileges to only necessary personnel, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous file creation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing proper file upload restrictions and ensuring that web applications validate all user input against comprehensive threat models. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems.