CVE-2020-21784 in phpwcms
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2021
phpwcms 1.9.13 is vulnerable to Code Injection via /phpwcms/setup/setup.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-21784 affects phpwcms version 1.9.13 and represents a code injection flaw within the setup script located at /phpwcms/setup/setup.php. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within the setup process, which typically requires elevated privileges and access to system resources, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the entire web application infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of parameters passed to the setup.php script, which allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed during the installation or configuration phase. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-94 category, which encompasses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" or similar execution methods. The flaw essentially permits an attacker to manipulate the application's behavior by introducing code that bypasses normal execution paths, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-21784 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads within the target environment. Since the vulnerability exists in the setup process, it can be exploited during the initial deployment or configuration phases, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over the web application before it becomes fully operational. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on phpwcms for content management, as successful exploitation could result in data breaches, service disruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's database or file system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches or upgrading to phpwcms versions that address this vulnerability, as well as implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the setup scripts to untrusted users. Additional protective measures include disabling or restricting access to the setup directory, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting thorough security assessments of the application's configuration. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper code sanitization practices, particularly in administrative or setup interfaces where elevated privileges are typically required and where the potential for exploitation carries maximum impact.