CVE-2020-5553 in mailform
Summary
by MITRE
mailform version 1.04 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5553 affects mailform version 1.04 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected systems. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure input handling and code injection flaws, which are commonly classified under CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code and CWE-74 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple attack surfaces within the mailform application, potentially including form parameters, configuration files, or user-supplied data that gets processed without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves the mailform application failing to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing it as part of PHP execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious input that gets interpreted and executed as PHP code rather than being treated as plain text or data. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to gain full control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within network environments. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it a significant threat to organizations running vulnerable versions of the mailform application.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-5553 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations utilizing vulnerable mailform installations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, system integrity compromise, and potential disruption of services. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw aligns with ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic, which represent the methods attackers typically use to establish persistence and maintain control over compromised systems. The lack of specific input validation in the mailform application creates multiple attack vectors that could be leveraged by threat actors to achieve their objectives.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of mailform that addresses this vulnerability, applying security patches, and implementing proper input validation measures. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious code execution patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems running vulnerable versions of mailform or similar applications. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary PHP execution capabilities, implementing web application firewalls, and establishing regular security updates and patch management procedures. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and conduct security awareness training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future applications, as this flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and code sanitization in web applications.