CVE-2018-16366 in iCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue discovered in idreamsoft iCMS V7.0.10. admincp.php?app=user&do=save allows CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16366 represents a cross-site request forgery flaw within the idreamsoft iCMS content management system version 7.0.10. This security weakness specifically affects the administrative control panel component, namely the admincp.php script with parameters app=user&do=save. The issue stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms in the affected web application interface. When an authenticated administrator interacts with the vulnerable system, malicious actors can craft specially designed web pages or emails that, when visited by the administrator, automatically submit requests to the vulnerable endpoint without the administrator's knowledge or explicit consent. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions within the administrative context of the iCMS system. The attack typically involves tricking an authenticated administrator into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a compromised link that contains embedded requests targeting the vulnerable save endpoint. These requests can modify user accounts, change administrative permissions, or perform other unauthorized operations within the CMS environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative level, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges or modify critical system configurations. The attack vector relies on the trust relationship between the web application and the authenticated user's browser, exploiting the fact that browsers automatically include authentication cookies with requests to the target domain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack techniques. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF flaw could gain persistent access to the administrative interface, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized content manipulation, or even complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the CMS environment, as it allows unauthorized modifications to user accounts and potentially sensitive system parameters. Organizations using iCMS version 7.0.10 are particularly at risk since this flaw could be exploited without requiring authentication credentials for the target system itself, relying instead on the administrator's active session. The attack could be executed through various delivery mechanisms including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability involve implementing robust anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the affected application. The most effective approach includes implementing unique, unpredictable tokens for each user session that must be validated before processing any administrative requests. These tokens should be generated server-side and embedded within forms or API requests, ensuring that unauthorized requests cannot successfully execute administrative operations. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data to prevent additional attack vectors. The fix should include the implementation of SameSite cookie attributes and proper HTTP headers to enhance protection against CSRF attacks. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under the T1531 technique for 'Modify Existing Service' when exploited, as it allows modification of administrative services through forged requests. System administrators should immediately update to patched versions of iCMS or implement compensating controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.