CVE-2020-18890 in puppyCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/07/2021
Rmote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in puppyCMS v5.1 due to insecure permissions, which could let a remote malicious user getshell via /admin/functions.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-18890 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in puppyCMS version 5.1 that stems from improper permission controls within the administrative interface. This issue specifically affects the /admin/functions.php endpoint, which serves as a potential entry point for attackers seeking to compromise systems running this content management solution. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and it directly enables unauthorized remote code execution through the exploitation of weak permission checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of administrative functions that should typically require authenticated and authorized access. When the /admin/functions.php script fails to properly validate user permissions or authenticate requests, malicious actors can bypass normal security controls to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This flaw essentially allows unauthenticated remote attackers to gain shell access, which represents a severe escalation of privileges and provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute system commands through the compromised interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-18890 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise and potential data breaches. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations that have not updated their puppyCMS installations to versions that address this specific access control flaw, leaving them exposed to automated exploitation attempts from threat actors scanning for known vulnerabilities. Organizations running this CMS version face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive data and systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-18890 primarily focus on immediate patching of the puppyCMS application to the latest version that resolves the insecure permissions issue. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted networks only. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar permission-related vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the need for regular security updates as outlined in industry best practices for vulnerability management. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their web infrastructure.