CVE-2018-20944 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 68.0.27 allows attackers to read a copy of httpd.conf that is created during a syntax test (SEC-353).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20944 affects cPanel versions prior to 68.0.27 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive web server configuration data. This vulnerability specifically targets the httpd.conf file which contains crucial server configuration parameters including virtual host definitions, security directives, and potentially sensitive system information. The issue arises during the execution of syntax tests performed by cPanel's configuration management system, where a temporary copy of the httpd.conf file is created and subsequently accessible to unauthorized users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and file permission management within cPanel's configuration testing framework. When cPanel executes syntax validation commands on the httpd.conf file, it creates temporary copies of the configuration in locations that do not properly restrict access permissions. Attackers can exploit this flaw by leveraging the temporary file paths to directly access the copied httpd.conf file, thereby obtaining detailed information about the web server configuration and potentially sensitive system details that should remain restricted to authorized administrators only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the httpd.conf file contains comprehensive server configuration data that can significantly aid attackers in planning subsequent attacks. The exposed configuration may reveal virtual host setups, directory permissions, security modules, and other sensitive directives that could be used to identify additional attack vectors or exploit weaknesses in the web server implementation. This information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes improper information exposure as a fundamental security flaw that can enable more sophisticated attacks.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance phase, where adversaries gather information about target systems to inform their attack strategies. The exposure of httpd.conf content can reveal critical system information including server version details, loaded modules, and configuration parameters that may be leveraged for privilege escalation or further exploitation. Organizations using affected cPanel versions should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to cPanel version 68.0.27 or later, which includes proper access controls and temporary file management that prevents unauthorized access to configuration copies. Additionally, system administrators should implement regular security audits to verify that temporary files are properly secured and that no unauthorized access paths exist to sensitive system configuration data. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper temporary file handling and access control mechanisms in web application security, aligning with industry best practices for secure configuration management and privilege separation. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive logging of configuration management activities to support incident response efforts.