CVE-2022-25018 in Pluxml
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2022
Pluxml v5.8.7 was discovered to allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted PHP code inserted into static pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25018 affects Pluxml version 5.8.7 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through manipulated static page content. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the content management system's static page handling functionality. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly filter or escape user-supplied PHP code snippets that are embedded within static pages, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious PHP code and inserts it into static page content that is subsequently processed by the Pluxml application. This flaw operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" where the application incorporates untrusted data into executable code without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Pluxml 5.8.7 as their content management system. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify content, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors on the affected servers. The impact extends beyond simple content manipulation as the vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only the ability to create or modify static pages, which many content management systems allow through various administrative interfaces or API endpoints.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of Pluxml that addresses this vulnerability, implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied content, and monitoring for suspicious activities in static page creation or modification. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 for "Social Engineering: Spearphishing Attachment" when considering how attackers might deliver malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious PHP code patterns and establish proper access controls to limit who can modify static content within the application. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application infrastructure.