CVE-2018-18772 in CentOS Web Panel
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
CentOS-WebPanel.com (aka CWP) CentOS Web Panel through 0.9.8.740 allows CSRF via admin/index.php?module=send_ssh, as demonstrated by executing an arbitrary OS command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18772 affects CentOS Web Panel (CWP), a popular web hosting control panel for CentOS systems. This security flaw exists in versions up to 0.9.8.740 and represents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that can be exploited to execute arbitrary operating system commands. The vulnerability specifically resides in the admin/index.php module with the send_ssh functionality, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who rely on this interface for system management tasks. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the web panel's administrative functions without proper authentication, effectively bypassing the panel's security controls.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the lack of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the send_ssh endpoint. When an administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the attack can automatically submit requests to the CWP admin interface without the user's knowledge or consent. This particular vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues. The attack vector allows for command injection through the SSH functionality, where attackers can leverage the panel's administrative privileges to execute arbitrary OS commands on the underlying server. This represents a severe privilege escalation scenario that can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF flaw can gain full administrative control over the compromised CentOS server, potentially leading to unauthorized access to all hosted websites, databases, and user accounts. The vulnerability affects the core security model of the control panel, as it undermines the fundamental assumption that only authenticated administrators can perform privileged operations. This weakness can be exploited to establish persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised server for further attacks against other systems. The attack can be particularly devastating in shared hosting environments where multiple users' data resides on the same server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of CentOS Web Panel that properly implements CSRF protection mechanisms and validates anti-CSRF tokens for all administrative functions. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable send_ssh endpoint. Additional defensive measures include restricting administrative access to specific IP addresses, implementing strong authentication controls, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as it enables adversaries to execute OS commands through the compromised interface. Regular monitoring of web application logs for unusual administrative activity and implementing principle of least privilege access controls can further reduce the risk exposure associated with this vulnerability.