CVE-2020-10806 in eZ Publish
Summary
by MITRE
eZ Publish Kernel before 5.4.14.1, 6.x before 6.13.6.2, and 7.x before 7.5.6.2 and eZ Publish Legacy before 5.4.14.1, 2017 before 2017.12.7.2, and 2019 before 2019.03.4.2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading PHP code, unless the vhost configuration permits only app.php execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10806 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting multiple versions of eZ Publish content management systems. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and file upload restrictions within the platform's architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code on affected servers. The issue impacts both the newer eZ Publish Kernel versions and the legacy implementations, spanning across several major release lines including 5.4.x, 6.x, 7.x, and various legacy versions from 2017 and 2019. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it operates without requiring authentication, allowing attackers to exploit the flaw remotely and gain full control over affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a combination of insecure file upload mechanisms and inadequate server configuration controls. Attackers can bypass normal file upload restrictions by crafting malicious PHP payloads that are then executed within the web server environment. The flaw specifically targets the application's handling of uploaded files, where the system fails to properly validate file extensions, content types, or file integrity checks before storing and processing uploads. This weakness creates a direct execution path where uploaded PHP code can be interpreted and executed by the web server, effectively allowing attackers to run arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through legitimate upload functionality that is intended for legitimate users to add media files, documents, or other content to the CMS.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-10806 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, exfiltrate sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the web application itself but also the underlying server environment, potentially exposing database credentials, user information, and other sensitive operational data. Organizations running affected versions of eZ Publish face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly broad given that eZ Publish is used by numerous organizations for enterprise content management, making the potential impact widespread across various industries including government, healthcare, financial services, and technology sectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of multiple security controls to address both the application-level flaw and the server configuration issues. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, specifically versions 5.4.14.1, 6.13.6.2, 7.5.6.2, and their respective legacy counterparts. Additionally, implementing proper file upload restrictions through web server configuration is essential, ensuring that only legitimate file types are accepted and that uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory. Network-level controls including firewall rules and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious file upload attempts. The implementation of proper input validation and file type checking mechanisms within the application code is crucial to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future deployments. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their eZ Publish installations, review server configurations, and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, highlighting the need for layered security approaches to protect against such remote code execution threats.