CVE-2020-10481 in PHPKB Standard Multi-Language
Summary
by MITRE
CSRF in admin/add-glossary.php in Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language 9 allows attackers to add a new glossary term via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10481 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Chadha PHPKB Standard Multi-Language version 9 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface at admin/add-glossary.php, where the application fails to implement proper anti-CSRF mechanisms. The flaw allows malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions against authenticated users who visit compromised web pages or click on malicious links. The vulnerability stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or similar validation mechanisms that would normally ensure that requests originate from legitimate administrative interfaces rather than crafted malicious payloads. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specially crafted HTTP requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, result in the creation of unauthorized glossary terms within the knowledge base system. This represents a significant security risk as glossary terms often serve as important organizational references and can potentially be used to inject malicious content or manipulate the system's information architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper request validation and authentication verification within the administrative context. When an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the browser automatically includes any necessary cookies or authentication tokens, allowing the attacker's request to appear legitimate to the PHPKB application. The system fails to verify that the request originated from the legitimate administrative interface rather than from an external malicious source. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when web applications do not properly implement CSRF protection measures such as unique tokens per session or referer header validation, leaving administrative functions exposed to unauthorized manipulation. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the browser and the application, exploiting the fact that the browser automatically includes authentication credentials without user confirmation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized term addition, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further exploitation within the knowledge management system. An attacker could use this capability to inject malicious terms that might redirect users to phishing sites or contain malicious links that could compromise the broader network. The addition of glossary terms could also be used to manipulate the system's search functionality, potentially causing information disclosure or denial of service conditions. In multi-language environments, attackers might exploit this to inject localized malicious content that could be more difficult to detect. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that rely heavily on knowledge base management systems for internal documentation, as unauthorized modifications to glossary terms could compromise the integrity of critical business information. The administrative interface exposure makes this vulnerability especially dangerous as it provides direct access to content management functions that could be used to manipulate the entire knowledge base structure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10481 should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the application's administrative interfaces. The most effective approach involves implementing unique, unpredictable tokens for each user session that must be validated before any administrative action is processed. These tokens should be generated server-side and embedded within forms and requests to ensure that all administrative operations originate from legitimate sources. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as referer header validation, origin checking, and implementing proper session management practices. The system should enforce strict input validation and ensure that all administrative requests are authenticated and authorized before processing. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's administrative functions, and developers should follow secure coding practices that include CSRF protection as a standard component of all web application development. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security patches should be applied immediately upon availability, and organizations should maintain comprehensive backup procedures to quickly restore system integrity in case of successful exploitation attempts.