CVE-2018-18702 in iCMS
Summary
by MITRE
spider.admincp.php in iCMS v7.0.11 allows SQL injection via admincp.php?app=spider&do=import_rule because the upfile content is base64 decoded, deserialized, and used for database insertion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-18702 affects iCMS version 7.0.11 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the administrative control panel component. This vulnerability exists in the spider.admincp.php file where the application processes administrative requests through the URL path admincp.php?app=spider&do=import_rule. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data during the processing of file uploads, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a dangerous chain of operations that begins with base64 decoding of uploaded content followed by deserialization and ultimately database insertion without proper sanitization. When an attacker uploads a specially crafted file, the application decodes the base64 content, deserializes the data structure, and then directly incorporates this unvalidated data into SQL queries. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization and improper data handling practices that violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is a well-documented weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive administrative information, or even take complete control of the application's database. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since the vulnerability exists within the administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems that rely heavily on database operations. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, though more accurately aligns with T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation in the context of database attacks.
The vulnerability exploitation process involves several stages that make it particularly effective against unpatched systems. First, attackers must gain access to the administrative interface, which typically requires valid credentials or a separate initial compromise. Once access is obtained, the attacker uploads a malicious file that contains base64 encoded serialized data. The application processes this data through the vulnerable code path, leading to SQL injection. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through automated tools and requires minimal technical expertise to implement effectively. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, parameterized queries, and proper sanitization of all user-supplied data to prevent such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the iCMS application to version 7.0.12 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent base64 decoding and deserialization of untrusted data within database operations. The use of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to prevent SQL injection regardless of input validation failures. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual administrative activities can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while maintaining regular security audits to identify similar issues in other components of their web applications.