CVE-2019-15748 in Six
Summary
by MITRE
SITOS six Build v6.2.1 permits unauthorised users to upload and import a SCORM 2004 package by browsing directly to affected pages. An unauthenticated attacker could use the upload and import functionality to import a malicious SCORM package that includes a PHP file, which could execute arbitrary PHP code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15748 affects SITOS six Build v6.2.1, a learning management system that provides educational content management and course delivery capabilities. This security flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that fundamentally undermines the system's access controls and exposes it to remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability exists within the SCORM 2004 package import functionality, which should typically require proper authentication and authorization before allowing content uploads. However, the system fails to implement adequate access controls, allowing any unauthenticated user to directly navigate to the affected import pages and execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the SCORM package import process. When users attempt to upload SCORM 2004 packages, the system does not properly verify whether the requester possesses valid credentials or authorization rights to perform such operations. This allows attackers to bypass authentication entirely by directly accessing the upload endpoints through URL manipulation or direct page navigation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because SCORM packages can contain multiple file types including PHP scripts, which when executed within the web application context can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector leverages the legitimate import functionality to deliver malicious payloads that execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized file uploads. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The execution of arbitrary PHP code enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and system reconnaissance. This vulnerability particularly affects educational institutions and organizations using SITOS six for course management, as it could allow unauthorized individuals to compromise entire learning environments and access sensitive student data or course materials. The lack of authentication checks creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the software is properly patched or updated.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing proper authentication controls for all upload functionalities, and restricting direct access to import endpoints through web server configuration. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual upload activities or attempts to access protected endpoints. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization issues, and maps to ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for execution through PHP scripts and T1190 for exploitation of web applications. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to block unauthorized access attempts and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities in other system components. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of all file upload and import functionalities within web applications.