CVE-2019-9049 in Pluck
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Pluck 4.7.9-dev1. There is a CSRF vulnerability that can delete modules via a /admin.php?action=module_delete&var1= URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9049 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Pluck content management system version 4.7.9-dev1. This weakness allows unauthorized attackers to execute malicious actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent. The specific vulnerability manifests through a predictable URI pattern that enables module deletion operations, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who may unknowingly trigger destructive actions. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper authentication verification mechanisms within the administrative interface.
This CSRF vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw operates by tricking authenticated users into visiting malicious websites or clicking on compromised links that automatically submit requests to the Pluck administration interface. The URI structure /admin.php?action=module_delete&var1= provides a clear attack surface where an attacker can construct malicious requests that delete modules from the system. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient request origin verification, which are fundamental security requirements for protecting administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss, as it can severely compromise the integrity and availability of the entire content management system. When an attacker successfully exploits this CSRF flaw, they can remove critical modules that may contain essential functionality, user data, or system components. This deletion capability can lead to complete system instability, data corruption, or complete service disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface, which typically requires elevated privileges, making the potential damage significantly greater than typical user-level attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF mechanisms throughout the application architecture. The most effective approach involves implementing anti-CSRF tokens that are generated for each user session and validated on every administrative request. These tokens should be unique per request and properly validated before any destructive operations are permitted. Additionally, the application should implement proper referer header validation and same-site cookie attributes to prevent unauthorized cross-site requests. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers, such as multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and regularly updating the Pluck CMS to versions that address this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under the 'T1078' category, emphasizing the importance of protecting administrative interfaces from unauthorized access through various attack vectors including CSRF exploitation.