CVE-2022-25412 in MaxSite
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2022
Maxsite CMS v180 was discovered to contain multiple arbitrary file deletion vulnerabilities in /admin_page/all-files-update-ajax.php via the dir and deletefile parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25412 affects Maxsite CMS version 180 and represents a critical arbitrary file deletion flaw that could enable remote attackers to remove files from the affected system. This vulnerability exists within the administrative file management component of the CMS, specifically in the /admin_page/all-files-update-ajax.php script. The flaw manifests through improper input validation and sanitization of the dir and deletefile parameters, which are directly used to construct file paths for deletion operations. Security researchers identified that the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input before executing file deletion commands, creating a path traversal condition that allows attackers to specify arbitrary file paths for removal.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes path traversal flaws where attackers can manipulate input to access or modify files outside of intended directories. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires administrative access or equivalent privileges to exploit effectively, though the impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to delete critical system files, configuration files, or even maliciously target user content, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data loss. The flaw exists because the application does not properly sanitize or validate the directory and filename parameters before using them in file system operations, allowing for directory traversal sequences that can navigate to arbitrary locations on the file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling attackers to cause significant disruption to the affected web application and underlying infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could delete essential application files, configuration settings, or user data, leading to service disruption, data loss, or complete application compromise. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative file management interface suggests that it could be exploited to remove critical system components, potentially leading to a complete system outage or the ability to execute further attacks through the removal of security controls. Additionally, the vulnerability could be combined with other exploits to create a more comprehensive attack vector, as removing system files might be necessary for maintaining persistence or covering tracks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25412 should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of Maxsite CMS where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and validation of the dir and deletefile parameters. The fix should implement strict validation of file paths to prevent directory traversal attacks, including normalization of input paths and verification against allowed directories. Implementing proper access controls and authentication measures around administrative functions is crucial, as the vulnerability requires administrative privileges to exploit effectively. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit path traversal vulnerabilities. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that administrative functions are only accessible to authorized personnel with proper authentication and authorization mechanisms in place. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack.