CVE-2019-9652 in SDcms
Summary
by MITRE
There is a CSRF in SDCMS V1.7 via an m=admin&c=theme&a=edit request. It allows PHP code injection by providing a filename in the file parameter, and providing file content in the t2 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9652 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within SDCMS version 1.7 that enables unauthorized users to execute arbitrary PHP code through a specifically crafted administrative request. This vulnerability exists within the theme editing functionality of the content management system, where the application fails to properly validate or authenticate requests originating from unauthorized sources. The flaw manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious request targeting the endpoint m=admin&c=theme&a=edit, which is typically reserved for legitimate administrative operations within the system's architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms, particularly in how it processes the file parameter and t2 parameter within the theme editing interface. When a user with administrative privileges visits a maliciously crafted webpage containing embedded CSRF vectors, the system automatically executes the theme editing function without proper authentication checks. The file parameter accepts arbitrary filenames that can be manipulated to target system files, while the t2 parameter serves as the vehicle for injecting PHP code that gets written to the specified file location. This dual-parameter injection mechanism creates a path for persistent code execution that can compromise the entire web application and potentially the underlying server infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious PHP files that can be executed by the web server, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application, as it allows unauthorized modifications to critical system files without proper authorization. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-352, Cross-Site Request Forgery, with additional implications for CWE-94, Improper Control of Generation of Code, due to the code injection component. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP, where adversaries execute malicious code through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of multiple security controls to protect against unauthorized administrative access and code injection attempts. Organizations should implement proper CSRF token validation mechanisms that ensure all administrative requests originate from legitimate authenticated sessions. The application must enforce strict input validation on both the file parameter and t2 parameter, rejecting any attempts to write to system-critical directories or files. Additionally, the system should implement proper access controls that verify administrative privileges before executing theme editing functions, regardless of request source or user-agent. Security headers including Content Security Policy and X-Frame-Options should be configured to prevent embedding of malicious content, while regular security audits should monitor for unauthorized file modifications and ensure proper file permissions are maintained throughout the system's file structure.