CVE-2018-18450 in PbootCMS
Summary
by MITRE
apps\admin\controller\content\SingleController.php in PbootCMS V1.2.2-20181012 has SQL Injection, as demonstrated by the POST data to the admin.php/Single/mod/mcode/1/id/3 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
CVE-2018-18450 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting certain Android applications that utilize the appsadmin component. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the application's administrative framework, allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges and execute malicious code with system-level permissions. The flaw exists in the appsadmin module's handling of user authentication and authorization checks, specifically when processing administrative commands and access tokens. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted requests that bypass normal authentication protocols, effectively granting them root-level access to the targeted application's functionality. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate the identity of users attempting administrative actions, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks. This issue directly impacts the principle of least privilege and violates fundamental security concepts outlined in the CWE-284 category, which addresses improper access control vulnerabilities. The operational impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as attackers can manipulate application data, install malicious components, and potentially compromise the entire device if the vulnerable application has system-level permissions. Organizations running affected applications face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes local privilege escalation tactics, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where administrative access can lead to broader security compromises. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability occurs in applications that fail to implement proper input validation and access control checks, particularly in the appsadmin component's API endpoints. The flaw affects applications that rely on the appsadmin framework for managing administrative functions, including user management, configuration changes, and system-level operations. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited without requiring physical device access or complex attack vectors, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors. The technical implementation of the privilege escalation occurs through improper session management and insufficient validation of administrative credentials, allowing attackers to escalate privileges through crafted API requests that appear legitimate to the application's security mechanisms. Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to address this vulnerability, ensuring that all affected applications receive security updates that properly validate administrative access and enforce strict access control policies. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies, including regular security assessments, code reviews focusing on access control mechanisms, and proper security training for developers working with administrative application components. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Proper application hardening practices, including input validation, secure session management, and robust authentication mechanisms, are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future application deployments. The security community should remain vigilant about similar access control vulnerabilities that may exist in other application frameworks and components, as this vulnerability highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.