CVE-2019-9052 in Pluck
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Pluck 4.7.9-dev1. There is a CSRF vulnerability that can delete pictures via a /admin.php?action=deleteimage&var1= URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9052 represents a cross-site request forgery flaw within the Pluck content management system version 4.7.9-dev1. This issue enables unauthorized deletion of media files through a specifically crafted web request that targets the administrative interface of the application. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of the origin and authenticity of requests made to the deleteimage endpoint, which operates under the /admin.php?action=deleteimage&var1= URI pattern. This allows an attacker to construct malicious web pages or email attachments that, when visited or opened by an authenticated administrator, will automatically execute the deletion command without proper user consent or verification.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper anti-CSRF tokens or origin validation mechanisms for administrative actions. When an administrator navigates to a malicious page containing embedded requests to the Pluck administration interface, the browser automatically submits the deleteimage request with the specified image identifier. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and request authentication controls. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1490 for Data Destruction, as it enables unauthorized modification of application data through legitimate administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple image deletion, as it compromises the integrity and availability of the content management system's media repository. An attacker could potentially delete critical images, disrupt website functionality, or even use this capability as part of a broader attack chain to undermine the application's security posture. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges beyond access to an administrative session, making it exploitable through social engineering attacks or by compromising administrator credentials through other means. Organizations using Pluck 4.7.9-dev1 are at risk of data loss, service disruption, and potential reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9052 should prioritize immediate implementation of anti-CSRF token mechanisms throughout the administrative interface, ensuring that each administrative request includes unique, unpredictable tokens that verify the request originates from legitimate administrative sessions. The application should enforce strict origin validation for all administrative endpoints and implement proper session management controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. Additionally, administrators should be advised to regularly update to patched versions of Pluck, disable unnecessary administrative features, and implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and input validation testing to identify similar issues in other components of the application stack, particularly those handling sensitive administrative operations that could be exploited through CSRF vectors.