CVE-2019-5129 in YouPHPTube Encoder
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection have been found in YouPHPTube Encoder. A successful attack could allow an attacker to compromise the server. Exploitable unauthenticated command injections exist in YouPHPTube Encoder 2.3 a plugin for providing encoder functionality in YouPHPTube. The parameter base64Url in /objects/getSpiritsFromVideo.php is vulnerable to a command injection attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5129 represents a critical command injection flaw within the YouPHPTube Encoder software version 2.3, which serves as a plugin for the YouPHPTube video platform. This security weakness resides in the /objects/getSpiritsFromVideo.php script where the base64Url parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before processing. The flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands that execute with the privileges of the web server, creating a significant risk for system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it is exploitable without authentication, meaning any remote attacker can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the underlying server infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command shell, and represents a classic command injection attack vector that has been documented extensively in cybersecurity literature.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the base64Url parameter, which is then processed without adequate validation or sanitization. The web application fails to properly escape or encode the user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands, creating an environment where arbitrary code execution becomes possible. This allows attackers to execute system commands directly on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as the compromised server could serve as a launching point for additional attacks against other systems in the network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper security controls around user-supplied data processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5129 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely on YouPHPTube Encoder for video processing capabilities. Successful exploitation can result in complete server compromise, where attackers gain the ability to install backdoors, modify system files, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised server for malicious activities such as botnet recruitment or further attack infrastructure. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that organizations cannot rely on access controls to prevent exploitation, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments. Network administrators face significant challenges in detecting and mitigating such attacks, as the malicious commands may appear as legitimate system activity within logs. This vulnerability also impacts the integrity and availability of the video processing platform, potentially disrupting legitimate user operations while providing attackers with persistent access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5129 should focus on immediate patching of the YouPHPTube Encoder software to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious data from being processed, particularly around the base64Url parameter and other user-supplied inputs. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the exposure of vulnerable systems, while monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution patterns. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers against command injection attacks. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially vulnerable components within their YouPHPTube installations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through web interfaces, and represents a critical area where proper security controls could have prevented the exploitation.