CVE-2020-10120 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel before 84.0.20 allows resellers to achieve remote code execution as root via a cpsrvd rsync shell (SEC-545).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10120 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within cPanel software versions prior to 84.0.20. This security defect specifically affects reseller accounts and enables them to execute arbitrary code with root-level privileges through a compromised cpsrvd rsync shell component. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and improper privilege management within the cPanel reseller framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their operational capabilities beyond the intended limitations of reseller accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the rsync shell functionality within the cpsrvd daemon process, which is responsible for handling various administrative tasks within cPanel environments. Reseller accounts typically possess limited administrative capabilities, but the flaw allows these users to manipulate the rsync shell to execute commands with elevated privileges. This occurs due to insufficient input validation and privilege separation mechanisms that should normally prevent reseller accounts from accessing root-level system functions. The vulnerability specifically leverages the trust relationship between the reseller account and the cpsrvd process, enabling command injection attacks that bypass standard security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-10120 is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on cPanel hosting environments. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete system control, allowing them to modify critical system files, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and establish persistent access to the compromised infrastructure. This remote code execution capability fundamentally undermines the security model of cPanel hosting environments, where reseller accounts are expected to operate within strict operational boundaries. The vulnerability affects not only individual server security but also compromises the integrity of entire hosting platforms, potentially exposing multiple customer accounts and their associated data to unauthorized access. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and significant reputational damage as a result of such exploitation.
Organizations should immediately implement the patch released by cPanel version 84.0.20, which addresses the privilege escalation vulnerability through enhanced access controls and proper privilege separation mechanisms. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all cPanel installations are updated to the latest stable versions. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to cPanel administrative interfaces, monitoring for unusual rsync shell activity, and establishing robust logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the use of service misconfigurations to gain elevated system access. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust security models and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their hosting infrastructure and ensure comprehensive protection against such sophisticated attack vectors.