CVE-2018-20862 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 76.0.8 unsafely performs PostgreSQL password changes (SEC-366).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20862 affects cPanel versions prior to 76.0.8 and specifically relates to insecure handling of PostgreSQL password changes within the control panel environment. This issue represents a critical security flaw that could potentially allow unauthorized users to manipulate database authentication credentials without proper authorization. The vulnerability was categorized under security advisory SEC-366, indicating its significance within the cPanel security framework and the potential impact on systems relying on PostgreSQL database management through the cPanel interface.
The technical flaw stems from cPanel's improper validation and handling of password change requests for PostgreSQL databases. When administrators or users attempt to modify PostgreSQL database passwords through the cPanel interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters. This unsafe implementation creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the password change functionality and potentially gain unauthorized access to PostgreSQL databases managed through cPanel. The vulnerability essentially allows for a form of privilege escalation or unauthorized credential manipulation that bypasses normal authentication controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on cPanel for web hosting and database management services. Attackers could leverage this flaw to change database passwords without proper authorization, potentially leading to complete database access and compromise of sensitive information stored within PostgreSQL instances. The impact extends beyond individual database breaches to encompass potential system-wide compromises, especially when multiple databases share similar credential structures or when the compromised database contains critical application data. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and confidentiality of database environments managed through cPanel.
The security implications of CVE-2018-20862 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. This classification indicates that the vulnerability represents a weakness in how access permissions are enforced during database credential modifications, creating potential for unauthorized privilege escalation. Organizations using cPanel should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to version 76.0.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and secure handling of PostgreSQL password change operations. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough audits of PostgreSQL database access controls and monitor for any suspicious authentication attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting credential access and defense evasion methods that could be employed by adversaries to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.