CVE-2018-17045 in CMS MaeloStore
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in CMS MaeloStore V.1.5.0. There is a CSRF vulnerability that can change the administrator password via admin/modul/users/aksi_users.php?act=update.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17045 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the MaeloStore content management system version 1.5.0. This weakness allows authenticated attackers to manipulate administrative functions without proper authorization, specifically targeting the user management module. The vulnerability exists in the administrative interface at the path admin/modul/users/aksi_users.php?act=update, where the application fails to implement adequate anti-CSRF protection mechanisms. This absence of validation enables malicious actors to craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, can result in unauthorized password changes and complete administrative control over the system.
From a technical perspective, the flaw stems from the application's failure to validate the origin of requests made to the user management update endpoint. The system does not implement proper CSRF tokens or referer validation checks that would normally prevent unauthorized requests from being processed. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since the target is an administrative endpoint, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to a legitimate user session through other means such as phishing or session hijacking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability can completely compromise the administrative account, gaining full control over the MaeloStore system. This includes the ability to modify user accounts, alter system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised administrative account as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to customer information stored within the CMS. Organizations using this version of MaeloStore face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of CSRF protection mechanisms such as anti-CSRF tokens that are generated per session and validated on each request. The application should also implement proper referer header validation and ensure that all administrative functions require explicit user confirmation before execution. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, which covers Valid Accounts, this vulnerability could be exploited to maintain persistent access through compromised administrative credentials. Organizations should also implement network segmentation, monitor for suspicious administrative activities, and ensure all CMS components are regularly updated. The most effective immediate solution is to upgrade to a patched version of MaeloStore or implement proper CSRF protection measures as outlined in OWASP CSRF Prevention Cheat Sheet guidelines. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous administrative activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.