CVE-2020-18980 in Halo
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2021
Remote Code Executon vulnerability in Halo 0.4.3 via the remoteAddr and themeName parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-18980 represents a critical remote code execution flaw discovered in the Halo content management system version 0.4.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of user-supplied input through the remoteAddr and themeName parameters, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's parameter processing logic, enabling attackers to inject malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Halo application processes the remoteAddr and themeName parameters without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate these inputs to inject malicious code. The flaw operates through a path traversal or code injection mechanism where user-controllable parameters are directly incorporated into system operations without adequate validation or escaping. This creates a condition where an attacker can submit crafted payloads that get executed within the application context, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code" or "Code Injection," highlighting the fundamental issue of insufficient input validation and sanitization in the application's code execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the potential for the vulnerability to serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration activities. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," as the execution of malicious code often involves PowerShell or similar scripting mechanisms to maintain persistence and expand access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-18980 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Halo version, implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and applying proper parameter escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious parameter values, conducting thorough input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious content, and applying principle of least privilege access controls to limit the impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper security controls in web applications, as highlighted by industry standards that emphasize the need for secure coding practices and comprehensive input validation to prevent injection attacks.