CVE-2021-32073 in DedeCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2021
DedeCMS V5.7 SP2 contains a CSRF vulnerability that allows a remote attacker to send a malicious request to to the web manager allowing remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-32073 affects DedeCMS version 5.7 SP2, a widely used content management system that powers numerous websites globally. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from insufficient anti-cross-site request forgery protections within the administrative interface. The vulnerability exists in the way the system handles requests from authenticated administrators, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link that contains a specially constructed request to the DedeCMS administration panel. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate administrative functions without requiring legitimate credentials for the administrative interface. This occurs because the system fails to validate the origin of requests or implement proper token-based verification mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized modifications to system configurations. The vulnerability specifically targets the file upload and modification functions within the admin panel, where the lack of CSRF protection enables attackers to upload malicious files or modify existing system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it directly enables remote code execution capabilities that can result in complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain administrative control over the affected DedeCMS installation, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, website defacement, or even the use of the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The implications are particularly severe given that DedeCMS is commonly used by organizations for critical web applications, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target environments.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves applying the official security patches released by DedeCMS developers, which typically include enhanced CSRF token validation mechanisms and proper request origin verification. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious administrative requests, particularly those involving file uploads or configuration changes. Network segmentation and access control measures can limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security audits and monitoring of administrative activities should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for administrative functions and regularly review access logs for anomalous administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.