CVE-2020-9381 in Total.js
Summary
by MITRE
controllers/admin.js in Total.js CMS 13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a POST to the /admin/api/widgets/ URI. This can be exploited in conjunction with CVE-2019-15954.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9381 affects Total.js CMS version 13 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the administrative interface. This vulnerability resides within the controllers/admin.js file and specifically targets the /admin/api/widgets/ endpoint, which accepts POST requests from remote attackers. The flaw enables unauthorized execution of arbitrary code on the affected system, providing attackers with complete control over the web application and underlying server infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative context of the CMS, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain full administrative access to the platform. When combined with CVE-2019-15954, which typically involves a different attack vector or privilege escalation mechanism, the combined impact significantly increases the potential for comprehensive system compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and represents a classic code injection flaw that allows attackers to execute malicious code within the target environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted POST request sent to the /admin/api/widgets/ URI endpoint. The flaw likely stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the administrative controller, allowing malicious payloads to be processed and executed without proper authorization checks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload and execute malicious scripts, modify existing functionality, or establish persistent access to the system. The administrative context of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the CMS, including the ability to modify content, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks against the broader network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", as attackers can leverage the administrative access to execute system commands and scripts. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution, potentially enabling attackers to establish backdoors, exfiltrate data, or use the compromised system for lateral movement within the organization's network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on Total.js CMS for their web applications. A successful exploit could result in complete system compromise, data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. Organizations may face significant financial losses due to system downtime, data recovery costs, and potential legal consequences from data exposure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or knowledge of internal network configurations to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in cloud environments or publicly accessible web applications. The combination with CVE-2019-15954 creates a more potent attack scenario where initial access might be gained through one vulnerability and then escalated using the administrative code execution capability. Security teams must prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately, as it represents a high-value target for automated exploitation tools and advanced persistent threat actors. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of security patches, network segmentation to limit access to administrative endpoints, and comprehensive monitoring for suspicious API activity. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious POST requests to administrative endpoints, while conducting thorough security assessments to identify any potential compromise from prior exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in administrative interfaces, as well as the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components.