CVE-2022-22930 in MCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/21/2022
A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Template Management function of MCMS v5.2.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22930 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Template Management functionality of MCMS version 5.2.4. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle maliciously crafted payloads submitted through the template management interface. The vulnerability exists in the software's processing of user-supplied template data, where insufficient restrictions allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected system. This flaw fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the application environment, as it provides attackers with the ability to gain full system control without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes weaknesses in the code that allow for the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The root cause lies in the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize template parameters, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted and executed as code. The vulnerability operates through the template management function, which likely processes template files or code snippets submitted by users. When these inputs are not properly sanitized, they can contain malicious payloads that exploit the application's template engine to execute commands with the privileges of the web application process. This typically involves bypassing security controls through improper input handling that allows attackers to inject shell commands or other executable code within the template processing pipeline.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-22930 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring legitimate credentials or access privileges. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible systems. Organizations running MCMS v5.2.4 are at significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential use as a foothold for broader attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, including the ability to install malware, modify system configurations, and establish persistent access through backdoors or other malicious tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-22930 should focus on immediate patching of the affected MCMS version to address the underlying input validation flaws. Organizations must ensure they are running the latest version of MCMS that includes fixes for this vulnerability, as vendors typically release patches that correct the template processing logic and implement proper input sanitization. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to systems running MCMS, deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious template submissions, and conducting thorough input validation at multiple layers of the application stack. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for template management functions, limiting the ability of users to submit potentially malicious content. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization practices, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, where such flaws are categorized under the execution and privilege escalation domains, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security controls and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues in other components of the software ecosystem.