CVE-2018-17134 in PHPMyWind
Summary
by MITRE
admin/web_config.php in PHPMyWind 5.5 allows Admin users to execute arbitrary code via the cfg_author field in conjunction with a crafted cfg_webpath field.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17134 affects PHPMyWind version 5.5 and resides within the admin/web_config.php component of the application. This represents a critical security flaw that enables authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the configuration management interface, specifically targeting the handling of the cfg_author and cfg_webpath parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted combination of input fields within the web configuration interface. Attackers with administrative privileges can manipulate the cfg_author field alongside a specially crafted cfg_webpath field to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the web server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of code injection attacks and aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of executing arbitrary code or commands. The flaw essentially allows for arbitrary code execution through configuration parameter manipulation, bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent such malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially devastating for affected organizations. An attacker who has already gained administrative access to the PHPMyWind system can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges further, potentially achieving full system compromise. The arbitrary code execution capability enables attackers to install backdoors, modify database contents, steal sensitive information, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate administrative interface into a weapon for system exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through normal administrative operations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers executing malicious code through command and scripting interpreters. The attack path typically involves an attacker who has already compromised administrative credentials, making this a post-compromise exploitation technique. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain where initial access is followed by privilege escalation and code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrative privileges to exploit, meaning that a compromised admin account immediately becomes a gateway for full system compromise.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the PHPMyWind application to the latest version that addresses this specific flaw. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all configuration parameters, particularly those that are used in file path operations or that could be interpreted as code. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of administrative account compromise. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The principle of least privilege should be applied to administrative accounts, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized administrative access. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts.