CVE-2021-36036 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2023
Magento versions 2.4.2 (and earlier), 2.4.2-p1 (and earlier) and 2.3.7 (and earlier) are affected by an improper access control vulnerability within Magento's Media Gallery Upload workflow. By storing a specially crafted file in the website gallery, an authenticated attacker with administrative privilege can gain access to delete the .htaccess file. This could result in the attacker achieving remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-36036 represents a critical access control flaw within Magento's Media Gallery Upload functionality that affects multiple versions including 2.4.2 and earlier, 2.4.2-p1 and earlier, and 2.3.7 and earlier. This issue resides in the web application's file handling mechanisms and specifically targets the media gallery upload workflow where unauthorized file operations can occur. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and access controls during file upload processes, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks. According to CWE-284, this represents an improper access control weakness where the application fails to properly restrict access to critical system resources. The flaw allows for a specific type of attack that leverages the administrative privilege of authenticated users to manipulate core system files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability begins with an attacker who already possesses administrative credentials within the Magento system. Through the media gallery upload functionality, the attacker can craft and upload a specially designed file that triggers a specific sequence of events. The malicious file manipulation leads to the deletion of the .htaccess file which serves as a critical configuration file for the web server's access control rules. This deletion creates a dangerous condition where the attacker can bypass normal security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The .htaccess file deletion effectively removes important security controls that would normally prevent direct access to sensitive directories and files, creating an environment conducive to further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion and can lead to complete system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. Once the .htaccess file is removed, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially allowing them to install malicious software, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting and T1059 which involves command and script injection. The attack chain typically proceeds from initial access through the media gallery upload, followed by privilege escalation via .htaccess file manipulation, and culminates in remote code execution. Organizations running affected Magento versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to the severity of this access control failure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor patches released for this vulnerability, which address the improper access control issues within the media gallery upload workflow. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit administrative privileges and monitor file upload activities within the media gallery. Regular security auditing of file upload functionalities and monitoring for unauthorized .htaccess file modifications should be implemented as part of ongoing security operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file handling and access control validation in web applications, particularly those handling user uploads. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect suspicious file upload patterns and monitor for unauthorized file system modifications. According to security best practices and industry standards, this vulnerability highlights the need for defense in depth strategies that include multiple layers of security controls to prevent similar access control failures from compromising system integrity.