CVE-2018-19557 in arcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in arcms through 2018-03-19. No authentication is required for index/main, user/useradd, or img/images.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19557 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the arcms software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions released through March 19, 2018. This weakness fundamentally undermines the security posture of the application by eliminating the necessity for proper user verification before accessing sensitive administrative functions. The affected endpoints include index/main, user/useradd, and img/images, which collectively represent core administrative and user management capabilities within the system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and demonstrates a classic failure in implementing proper access controls that should be mandatory for any system managing user accounts and administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows any unauthenticated attacker to gain direct access to administrative interfaces without providing valid credentials, username, or password. This authentication bypass enables unauthorized users to perform critical operations such as adding new users, managing existing accounts, and potentially accessing sensitive image storage systems. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where access controls are either completely absent or improperly configured, creating an open door for malicious actors to exploit the system's administrative functions. From an operational perspective, this flaw transforms any casual internet user into a potential system administrator, fundamentally compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates opportunities for persistent threats to establish footholds within the system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create new administrative accounts, modify existing user permissions, and potentially gain access to sensitive data stored in the image repository. This vulnerability directly maps to multiple tactics within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and persistence techniques. The lack of authentication requirements for user management functions provides attackers with the capability to establish backdoors, modify system configurations, and maintain long-term access to the compromised environment.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigations including the deployment of proper authentication mechanisms, access control enforcement, and network segmentation to limit exposure of administrative endpoints. The recommended approach involves implementing robust authentication protocols such as multi-factor authentication, enforcing strict access control lists, and ensuring that all administrative interfaces require valid credentials before granting access. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and restrict access to sensitive endpoints, while conducting thorough security audits to identify any other potential authentication bypass vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management processes should be prioritized to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases of the software.