CVE-2020-25873 in Baijiacms
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2021
A directory traversal vulnerability in the component system/manager/class/web/database.php was discovered in Baijiacms V4 which allows attackers to arbitrarily delete folders on the server via the "id" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-25873 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Baijiacms V4 content management system, specifically within the database management component located at system/manager/class/web/database.php. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data before processing. The flaw manifests when the application accepts the "id" parameter without sufficient validation, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and potentially execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. These attacks exploit insufficient security controls to access files and directories outside the intended scope of the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the lack of proper input filtering by constructing malicious paths that bypass normal access controls. When the "id" parameter is processed by the database.php component, it fails to validate or sanitize the input against a whitelist of acceptable values or to properly resolve relative paths. This creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the system into performing operations on unintended directories, potentially leading to complete server compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it specifically targets the database management functionality, which typically requires elevated privileges and has access to sensitive system resources. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage vulnerable components to execute arbitrary commands or operations on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security model and access control mechanisms. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the Baijiacms system, potentially allowing attackers to delete critical system folders, modify database structures, or gain access to administrative functions. Organizations using Baijiacms V4 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it highly dangerous in production environments. The flaw's severity is compounded by the fact that it resides in a system management component, which typically has broad access to system resources and can potentially provide attackers with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-25873 must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security posture issues within the Baijiacms platform. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of the "id" parameter, including the use of allowlists for acceptable values and proper path resolution techniques to prevent directory traversal. Organizations should implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Additionally, the system should employ proper output encoding and validation to prevent malicious input from being processed by the application. Security controls should include regular input validation, proper path normalization, and the implementation of secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten security requirements. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and timely patch management, as the flaw exists in a widely used content management system where many organizations may not have updated to secure versions. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is recommended that administrators immediately review their system configurations and implement proper input validation mechanisms before any potential exploitation can occur.