CVE-2018-18892 in miniCMS
Summary
by MITRE
MiniCMS 1.10 allows execution of arbitrary PHP code via the install.php sitename parameter, which affects the site_name field in mc_conf.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18892 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in MiniCMS version 1.10 that stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the installation process. This vulnerability specifically targets the install.php script where the sitename parameter is processed without adequate security measures, creating a pathway for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected system. The flaw manifests when the application writes user-supplied input directly into the mc_conf.php configuration file, bypassing any sanitization or validation mechanisms that should normally protect against malicious code injection attempts. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code" or "Code Injection", a well-documented weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by manipulating input parameters that are subsequently processed as executable code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited during the initial setup phase of the application, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the web server environment before the system is fully operational.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data theft, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms within the compromised system. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can inject PHP code that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process, potentially allowing access to sensitive files, database credentials, and other system resources. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the installation phase of the application, meaning that even legitimate users performing initial setup could unknowingly expose their systems to compromise. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly, as the malicious code injection occurs during the configuration process and remains embedded within the mc_conf.php file, making it difficult to detect and remove without proper system cleanup procedures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18892 should focus on immediate patching of the affected MiniCMS version, as well as implementing defensive measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the application architecture. Organizations should ensure that all input parameters are properly validated and sanitized before being processed or written to configuration files, implementing proper input filtering mechanisms that reject potentially malicious code patterns. The fix should include implementing proper escaping or encoding of user-supplied input when writing to configuration files, preventing direct code injection through the sitename parameter. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms that can detect and block suspicious code injection attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", as the exploitation involves executing code through script parameters, and it also relates to T1078.004, which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts", since the compromised system could be used to gain further access to cloud resources. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of the application codebase to identify similar input validation issues and implementing secure coding practices that follow the principle of least privilege when writing configuration files.