CVE-2019-9015 in MOPCMS
Summary
by MITRE
A Path Traversal vulnerability was discovered in MOPCMS through 2018-11-30, leading to deletion of unexpected critical files. The exploitation point is in the "column management" function. The path added to the column is not verified. When a column is deleted by an attacker, the corresponding directory is deleted, as demonstrated by ./ to delete the entire web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The CVE-2019-9015 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in MOPCMS version 2018-11-30 and earlier, demonstrating a fundamental security weakness in file system access controls. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the column management functionality of the content management system, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input when processing directory paths. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the system's file operations by crafting malicious path inputs that bypass normal access controls, ultimately allowing for arbitrary directory deletion. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its ability to execute destructive operations through seemingly legitimate administrative functions, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such operations are typically restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the column management interface where attackers can manipulate the path parameter associated with column deletion operations. When an attacker submits a malicious path such as "./" or similar traversal sequences, the system processes these inputs without proper validation, leading to the deletion of directories and files that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal, which describes a condition where an attacker can manipulate a path to access files or directories outside the intended scope. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which covers the use of file deletion techniques to remove evidence or disrupt system operations. The root cause lies in the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization and path validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to exploit legitimate administrative functions for malicious purposes.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9015 extends beyond simple file deletion to potentially compromise entire web applications and their underlying data integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to remove critical application files, configuration data, or even entire directory structures, effectively rendering the CMS non-functional or allowing complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard administrative interfaces, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt services or gain unauthorized access. Organizations running affected versions of MOPCMS face significant risk of data loss, service disruption, and potential system compromise, especially when the CMS is deployed in environments with elevated privileges or when sensitive data is stored within the web root directory structure. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access or deploy additional malicious payloads through the disruption of normal system operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9015 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the column management functionality. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of MOPCMS where this vulnerability has been patched, as the developers have addressed the path traversal issue through proper input validation. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including restricting file system permissions for CMS directories, implementing proper access controls for administrative functions, and monitoring for unusual file system operations. The implementation of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block path traversal attempts can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their CMS installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities in file system access controls and implement proper logging and monitoring for file system operations to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are addressed promptly in the future.