CVE-2018-18773 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=rootpwd, as demonstrated by changing the root password.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
CentOS Web Panel represents a widely deployed web-based control panel solution designed to simplify server administration tasks for system operators and web developers. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18773 specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the administrative interface of this panel. This issue manifests as a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects the root password change functionality accessible through the admin/index.php?module=rootpwd endpoint. The flaw exists within the panel's implementation of session management and request validation processes, allowing unauthorized actors to manipulate administrative functions without proper authentication.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link that automatically submits a request to the vulnerable CWP administration interface. The attack leverages the fact that the panel does not properly validate the origin of requests or implement anti-CSRF tokens for critical administrative functions. When the administrator's browser automatically submits a password change request to the target system, the panel processes this request without proper verification of the user's intent or authorization context. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category for Cross-Site Request Forgery, specifically affecting the authentication mechanism and administrative privilege escalation capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for systems utilizing affected versions of CentOS Web Panel. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability can gain complete administrative control over the server by changing the root password, effectively locking out legitimate administrators and gaining unrestricted access to all system resources. This compromise extends beyond simple credential theft to include full system takeover capabilities, potentially enabling data exfiltration, service disruption, malware installation, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of servers running CWP, particularly those exposed to the internet where such attacks could be easily executed through social engineering or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to the latest stable version of CentOS Web Panel where the CSRF protection mechanisms have been properly implemented. Organizations should ensure that all administrative interfaces implement proper CSRF token validation and Origin header checking for critical functions. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit direct internet exposure of administrative interfaces. The implementation of additional security layers such as two-factor authentication, web application firewalls, and regular security audits can help reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also monitor for unusual administrative activities and implement proper logging mechanisms to track password change events and other critical administrative functions. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and session management in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, where the initial compromise often occurs through user interaction with malicious content.