CVE-2018-13025 in YXcms
Summary
by MITRE
protected/apps/admin/controller/photoController.php in YXcms 1.4.7 allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via the index.php?r=admin/photo/delpic picname parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13025 resides within the YXcms content management system version 1.4.7, specifically in the photoController.php file located within the protected/apps/admin/controller directory. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized file deletion operations on the affected system. The vulnerability manifests through the index.php?r=admin/photo/delpic picname parameter, which processes user input without adequate validation or sanitization, creating a path for malicious exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory," and falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate the picname parameter, allowing attackers to manipulate the file deletion process by supplying crafted input that can traverse directory structures. This weakness directly enables attackers to specify arbitrary file paths for deletion, potentially compromising critical system files, user data, or application resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker with knowledge of the application's URL structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data loss. An attacker could leverage this flaw to remove critical application files, disable administrative functions, or destroy user-generated content, resulting in service disruption and potential data breaches. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for further exploitation, as the deletion of key system components could pave the way for additional attacks or privilege escalation attempts. Organizations using YXcms 1.4.7 face significant risk of unauthorized access and system compromise, particularly in environments where the application handles sensitive data or serves as a critical business component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and access control measures. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that sanitizes all user-supplied input before processing, ensuring that file paths are properly constrained to intended directories. Organizations should also implement proper authentication and authorization checks, requiring valid administrative credentials before allowing file operations. Additionally, the application should employ proper file access controls and implement the principle of least privilege, limiting the application's ability to delete files outside of designated directories. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1485 for data destruction, which emphasize the importance of preventing unauthorized file manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and access control mechanisms in preventing remote code execution and data destruction attacks, particularly in web applications handling user uploads or administrative functions.