CVE-2022-42234 in UCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2022
There is a file inclusion vulnerability in the template management module in UCMS 1.6
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42234 represents a critical file inclusion flaw within the template management module of UCMS version 1.6. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing template-related operations. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate template paths and potentially include arbitrary files from the server filesystem, creating a significant attack surface that could lead to remote code execution or unauthorized data access. The affected UCMS 1.6 implementation demonstrates poor secure coding practices where template parameters are directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or validation.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-829 category of "Inclusion of Code from Untrusted Source" and specifically manifests as a local file inclusion (LFI) attack vector. The flaw operates by accepting user-controllable template identifiers or paths that are subsequently processed through file system functions without adequate security checks. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious template parameters that traverse directory structures to access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain deeper system access. According to the ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1566.001 "Phishing for Information" and T1059.001 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" when combined with other exploitation methods.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-42234 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code on the target system, access confidential data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations running UCMS 1.6 are at risk of data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but also potentially exposes underlying infrastructure components that depend on the CMS for content management. Recovery from such an attack may require complete system reinstallation and security hardening.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-42234 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a patched version of UCMS 1.6. Until patching is complete, implementing restrictive file access controls and disabling unnecessary template management features can help reduce risk. Input validation should be strengthened to prevent path traversal sequences and ensure that all template parameters are properly sanitized before processing. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous template access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should implement proper access controls for template management functions and regularly audit template configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar file inclusion attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other components of the application stack.