CVE-2019-9651 in SDcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in SDCMS V1.7. In the \app\admin\controller\themecontroller.php file, the check_bad() function's filtering is not strict, resulting in PHP code execution. This occurs because some dangerous PHP functions (such as "eval") are blocked but others (such as "system") are not, and because ".php" is blocked but ".PHP" is not blocked.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9651 represents a critical security flaw within SDCMS version 1.7 that stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. This issue manifests in the administrative panel functionality where the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before processing, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted input sequences. The vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface components that handle user data submission and processing, making it particularly dangerous given the elevated privileges associated with administrative accounts. Security researchers identified that the system lacks proper filtering and validation of input parameters, allowing for potential injection attacks that could compromise the entire content management infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a pattern consistent with command injection and code execution flaws, where attackers can manipulate input fields to inject malicious commands that execute within the application's context. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the administrative functionality that processes user data, creating a path for unauthorized code execution and privilege escalation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which classify it as a command injection vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector leverages the lack of input sanitization in the administrative panel, where user-supplied parameters are directly processed without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls, potentially gaining full administrative access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access within the target environment. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise, enabling unauthorized users to modify content, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The administrative access gained through this vulnerability provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the content management system's core functionality, including user account management, content modification, and system configuration changes. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on SDCMS for content management, as the vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor for attackers to maintain long-term access while evading normal security monitoring mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9651 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization across all user-facing interfaces, particularly within administrative components. Organizations must ensure that all input parameters undergo rigorous validation using allow-list approaches rather than deny-list methods, which are inherently less secure. The implementation of proper parameter escaping and encoding mechanisms should be enforced throughout the application to prevent malicious code injection. Security patches and updates should be applied immediately to address the vulnerability, as the flaw affects the core administrative functionality of the content management system. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate compromise. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both perimeter security and application-level protections to prevent similar issues from occurring in other system components.