CVE-2019-9042 in Sitemagic CMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Sitemagic CMS v4.4. In the index.php?SMExt=SMFiles URI, the user can upload a .php file to execute arbitrary code, as demonstrated by 404.php.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9042 represents a critical security flaw in Sitemagic CMS version 4.4 that enables remote code execution through improper input validation and file upload mechanisms. This weakness exists within the application's handling of the SMFiles extension parameter in the index.php URI, creating an exploitable pathway for attackers to upload malicious PHP files and subsequently execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the file extension and content during the upload process, allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to the server environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the SMFiles extension functionality. When a user submits a request containing the SMExt=SMFiles parameter, the application processes the file upload without adequate checks on the file type, content, or destination path. This allows an attacker to upload a PHP file named 404.php or similar malicious payload that can be executed within the web server context. The flaw aligns with CWE-434, which describes the weakness of allowing untrusted data to be uploaded to a web server, and represents a classic case of insecure file upload handling that enables arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. Once successfully exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or use as a foothold for further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects organizations using Sitemagic CMS v4.4 and creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other networked systems. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on outdated CMS versions without proper security updates or patches.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Sitemagic CMS to version 4.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the file upload validation issue. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including restricting file upload capabilities to only allow specific safe extensions, implementing proper file content validation, and configuring web server restrictions to prevent execution of uploaded files in web-accessible directories. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious upload attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that no unauthorized files exist in the system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for both preventive and detective security controls to address the threat landscape.