CVE-2020-19151 in Jfinal
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2021
Command Injection in Jfinal CMS v4.7.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a malicious HTML template file via the component 'jfinal_cms/admin/filemanager/list'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-19151 represents a critical command injection flaw within Jfinal CMS version 4.7.1 and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the administrative file management component, specifically at the endpoint jfinal_cms/admin/filemanager/list, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input during HTML template file uploads. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands through carefully crafted template files, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of file upload operations within the CMS administrative interface. When administrators upload HTML template files through the designated file manager endpoint, the system processes these files without adequate sanitization of embedded commands or script code. This oversight creates a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious commands on the underlying server, as the CMS fails to distinguish between legitimate template content and potentially harmful code segments. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the file handling and template processing components of the CMS framework, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is granted to untrusted users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform extensive system compromise activities. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected CMS instance, potentially leading to data exfiltration, service disruption, or further network infiltration. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit this vulnerability. This makes it particularly attractive to cybercriminals who seek to compromise web applications at scale, as the attack surface remains accessible from external networks without requiring additional reconnaissance or privileged access.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-77, Command Injection, which is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers can leverage JavaScript code within HTML templates to execute system commands. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization procedures, restricting file upload capabilities to trusted users only, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious upload attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to address this vulnerability, as the affected version of Jfinal CMS has received updates that resolve this specific command injection flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring for unusual file upload activities within their administrative interfaces to detect potential exploitation attempts.