CVE-2022-23315 in MCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/21/2022
MCMS v5.2.4 was discovered to contain an arbitrary file upload vulnerability via the component /ms/template/writeFileContent.do.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23315 affects MCMS version 5.2.4 and represents a critical arbitrary file upload flaw within the system's template management component. This vulnerability exists in the /ms/template/writeFileContent.do endpoint which allows unauthorized users to upload files to the server without proper authentication or authorization checks. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify file types, content, or upload destinations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to upload malicious files such as web shells, scripts, or other harmful payloads that can be executed on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic security misconfiguration where the application fails to enforce proper file upload restrictions and validation controls. The writeFileContent.do component appears to accept file uploads without verifying the file extension, MIME type, or content integrity checks that would normally prevent execution of potentially harmful file types. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-434 which categorizes insecure file upload vulnerabilities as a significant risk to web application security. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that include malicious file content, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk landscape for organizations using MCMS v5.2.4 as it provides attackers with a direct path to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within the network, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, potentially leading to regulatory compliance violations and significant financial losses. Organizations may face unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of business operations, and potential legal consequences due to data breaches. The attack surface expands significantly as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish footholds for further exploitation within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23315 should prioritize immediate patching of the MCMS application to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file upload validation controls including whitelisting of allowed file extensions, MIME type checking, and content scanning for malicious patterns. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable endpoint. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload activities and suspicious requests to the writeFileContent.do endpoint. The implementation of web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection technologies can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack, while adherence to secure coding practices and input validation standards should be enforced throughout the development lifecycle. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for defensive measures, particularly focusing on prevention of initial access and privilege escalation techniques that attackers might employ through such file upload exploits.