CVE-2018-14978 in QCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in QCMS 3.0.1. CSRF exists via the backend/user/admin/add.html URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14978 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the QCMS 3.0.1 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the backend user administration functionality, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this platform for content management and user administration. The issue stems from insufficient anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the application's user management interface, particularly at the /backend/user/admin/add.html endpoint where new user accounts can be created without proper validation of the request origin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft malicious web pages or emails that can trigger unauthorized actions within the QCMS application when a legitimate user performs administrative tasks. The flaw exists because the application fails to implement proper CSRF token validation or referer header checking mechanisms for the user addition endpoint. This means that any authenticated administrator who visits a malicious site or clicks on a compromised link could unknowingly have new user accounts created within the QCMS system without their knowledge or consent.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, create backdoor accounts, or manipulate the user access control system of the affected organization. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized user creation as it could potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access to the system, modify existing user permissions, or gain administrative control over the content management platform. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative level, providing attackers with elevated privileges that could compromise the entire content management infrastructure.
Organizations using QCMS 3.0.1 should immediately implement mitigations including the deployment of proper CSRF token validation mechanisms across all administrative endpoints, implementing referer header validation, and ensuring that all user management functions require multi-factor authentication or additional verification steps. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and could be exploited through ATT&CK technique T1078 which involves valid accounts and T1548 which covers abuse of privileges. The recommended remediation includes updating to a patched version of QCMS, implementing comprehensive CSRF protection measures, and conducting security audits of all administrative interfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.