CVE-2022-25498 in CuppaCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2022
CuppaCMS v1.0 was discovered to contain a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability via the saveConfigData function in /classes/ajax/Functions.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25498 affects CuppaCMS version 1.0 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the saveConfigData function located in the /classes/ajax/Functions.php file, making it accessible through remote attack vectors that do not require authentication. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can manipulate the saveConfigData function through crafted input parameters that are then executed within the application context. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where user-controllable data flows directly into system execution contexts without proper sanitization. The CWE-77 schema applies here as the vulnerability involves the execution of code through the injection of commands into a system or application. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution which can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established by attackers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations utilizing CuppaCMS v1.0 as it enables attackers to execute malicious commands on the affected server with the privileges of the web application user. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential lateral movement within networks, as attackers can use the compromised system as a foothold for further infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as exploitation typically requires no authentication but may lead to privilege escalation or account compromise. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest version of CuppaCMS where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected application and its endpoints. Additionally, monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in the Functions.php file access and unusual command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as the flaw could have been prevented through proper parameter validation and secure coding practices. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications within the organization's attack surface.