CVE-2019-9060 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2021
An issue was discovered in CMS Made Simple 2.2.8. It is possible to achieve unauthenticated path traversal in the CGExtensions module (in the file action.setdefaulttemplate.php) with the m1_filename parameter; and through the action.showmessage.php file, it is possible to read arbitrary file content (by using that path traversal with m1_prefname set to cg_errormsg and m1_resettodefault=1).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9060 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the CMS Made Simple content management system version 2.2.8, specifically affecting the CGExtensions module. This security weakness allows attackers to access arbitrary files on the server without requiring authentication credentials, fundamentally compromising the system's file access controls and potentially exposing sensitive data. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors within the module's file handling mechanisms, creating multiple pathways for exploitation that significantly increases the attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the action.setdefaulttemplate.php file where the m1_filename parameter is processed without proper sanitization or access control checks. This parameter directly influences file path resolution, allowing attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended directory structure. The flaw is further exacerbated by the action.showmessage.php file which, when combined with specific parameter combinations including m1_prefname set to cg_errormsg and m1_resettodefault=1, enables attackers to read arbitrary file contents from the server filesystem. This dual-path approach provides attackers with both the capability to traverse directories and to extract sensitive information from the targeted system.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9060 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read configuration files that may contain database credentials, administrator passwords, or other sensitive system information. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that any remote attacker can potentially access these files without requiring prior access to the system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to read system files, application source code, or other sensitive data that may contain proprietary information or expose system architecture details.
This vulnerability aligns with 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 also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, as attackers can extract sensitive files from the compromised system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper access control implementation that violates fundamental security principles. Organizations using CMS Made Simple 2.2.8 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including patching to the latest version, implementing proper input validation, and restricting file access permissions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper parameter validation in web applications to prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
The exploitability of CVE-2019-9060 makes it particularly dangerous in environments where CMS Made Simple is deployed without additional security layers or network segmentation. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. Security practitioners should consider implementing web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their CMS environments. The incident underscores the critical need for regular security updates and vulnerability management processes to protect against known exploits that can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.