CVE-2022-4864 in froxlor
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2022
Argument Injection in GitHub repository froxlor/froxlor prior to 2.0.0-beta1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4864 represents a critical argument injection flaw discovered in the froxlor web hosting control panel repository prior to version 2.0.0-beta1. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's command execution mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary arguments into system commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user-supplied data that gets processed through shell commands or system calls, potentially allowing unauthorized code execution and privilege escalation. The froxlor control panel, designed for managing web hosting environments including domains, email accounts, and databases, becomes susceptible to attack when user inputs are not properly sanitized before being passed to underlying system processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of command-line arguments within the application's backend processing modules. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets concatenated into system commands without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This pattern aligns with common security weaknesses categorized under CWE-77 and CWE-88, which address command injection vulnerabilities where attacker-controlled data flows into command execution contexts. The flaw typically manifests when user-provided parameters are directly incorporated into shell commands or system calls without proper validation, allowing attackers to manipulate command execution flow through argument injection techniques. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of input validation failures and command execution processes, creating a dangerous attack surface within the control panel's administrative functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4864 extends beyond simple data compromise, potentially enabling full system compromise and unauthorized access to hosting environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability particularly affects hosting providers using froxlor for managing multiple customer accounts, as a single compromised instance could provide attackers with access to numerous customer websites and associated data. The attack vector typically involves manipulating administrative interfaces or API endpoints where user inputs are processed and subsequently passed to system commands. Organizations may face significant operational disruption, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal consequences if customer data is compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4864 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization procedures throughout the froxlor application codebase. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to froxlor version 2.0.0-beta1 or later, which includes fixes addressing the argument injection vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation, using whitelisting techniques for acceptable input values, and employing proper escaping mechanisms when incorporating user data into system commands. Security measures should include input sanitization at multiple layers, including API endpoints, administrative interfaces, and any user-facing forms that might feed into system command execution. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging for suspicious command execution patterns, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's command and control tactics. Additional defensive measures include restricting web server privileges, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase. The remediation process should involve thorough code review to ensure all command execution points properly validate and sanitize input data, preventing similar issues from emerging in future releases.