CVE-2019-5956 in WonderCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in WonderCMS 2.6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2023
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5956 affects WonderCMS versions 2.6.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized file deletion operations. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exists in the content management system's handling of user-supplied input within file operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate file paths and gain access to sensitive system resources beyond the intended directory boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within WonderCMS's file management functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in file path parameters, allowing them to navigate outside the designated web root directory. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that multiple entry points within the application may be susceptible to this attack pattern, potentially including file upload handlers, configuration management interfaces, or content editing modules. This lack of specificity in the vector description indicates that the vulnerability may be widespread across various application components, increasing the attack surface and exploitation potential.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5956 extends beyond simple file deletion, as it represents a fundamental breach of the application's access control mechanisms and file system security boundaries. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially delete critical system files, configuration data, or user content, leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The severity of this attack vector is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the vulnerable system. This vulnerability directly maps to the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1485 for data destruction, as it enables attackers to execute destructive operations on target systems without requiring elevated privileges or prior access.
Organizations running WonderCMS versions prior to 2.6.1 should immediately implement mitigations to protect their systems from exploitation of this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the patched version of WonderCMS that addresses the directory traversal flaw through proper input validation and path sanitization. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block directory traversal patterns can provide an additional layer of protection. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as implementing whitelisting for file operations, using absolute paths instead of relative paths, and employing proper error handling to prevent information disclosure that could aid attackers in exploitation attempts.