CVE-2018-14441 in SSH CompanyWebsite
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in cckevincyh SSH CompanyWebsite through 2018-05-03. admin/admin/fileUploadAction_fileUpload.action allows arbitrary file upload, as demonstrated by a .jsp file with the image/jpeg content type.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14441 represents a critical arbitrary file upload flaw in the cckevincyh SSH CompanyWebsite application version dated 2018-05-03. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and content type verification mechanisms within the file upload functionality, specifically exposed through the admin/admin/fileUploadAction_fileUpload.action endpoint. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to bypass normal file type restrictions and upload malicious files with arbitrary extensions, including web shell payloads disguised as image files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper file validation controls that would typically be enforced by Content Security Policies and file type verification mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this by crafting a malicious .jsp file with a content type header set to image/jpeg, effectively bypassing client-side and server-side validation checks that should prevent execution of web scripts. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-434 which specifically addresses Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that require strict file type validation and sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a direct path to achieve remote code execution on the affected server. Once a malicious .jsp file is successfully uploaded and executed, adversaries can establish persistent access to the compromised system, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and leverages a common attack vector that has been extensively documented in security literature and threat intelligence reports. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059 which addresses Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can execute arbitrary commands through the uploaded web shell.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of strict file type validation, removal of executable file extensions from upload directories, enforcement of proper content type checking, and restriction of upload permissions to authenticated users only. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file upload attempts, conduct regular security audits of upload functionality, and establish proper access controls that follow the principle of least privilege. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that enforces proper file validation and sanitization mechanisms, as this vulnerability represents a known weakness that has been addressed in subsequent releases of the software.