CVE-2023-1391 in Online Tours & Travels Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in SourceCodester Online Tours & Travels Management System 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file admin/ab.php. The manipulation of the argument img leads to unrestricted upload. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-222978 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2023
This vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester Online Tours & Travels Management System version 1.0, specifically targeting the administrative component through the file admin/ab.php. The flaw manifests as an unrestricted file upload vulnerability that occurs when processing the img argument parameter. This represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload malicious files to the server. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates its potential for serious exploitation, particularly given that the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is actively available for use. The remote attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes the weakness of unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type. This flaw enables attackers to upload files that could contain malicious code, potentially including web shells, malware, or other harmful payloads. The unrestricted upload capability allows for arbitrary code execution on the target server, providing attackers with a direct path to compromise the entire system. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can upload files with extensions such as .php, .asp, or .jsp that will execute within the web server context, granting them persistent access and control over the affected application. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative interface amplifies its impact, as successful exploitation would likely provide attackers with administrative privileges within the tours and travels management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive customer data including personal information and payment details, and potentially use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the organization's network. The tourism and travel management system likely contains valuable customer information, booking details, and financial data that makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals. The public disclosure of the exploit means that automated attack tools may already exist that can leverage this weakness, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. This vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of insecure file uploads and inadequate input validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate patching of the affected application to address the file upload validation flaw. Organizations should implement strict file type validation and content checking mechanisms to prevent the upload of executable files or scripts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting upload capabilities to only necessary user roles and implementing proper file naming conventions to prevent directory traversal attacks. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious file upload activities and anomalous behavior patterns. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can help detect and block malicious upload attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The vulnerability's classification as a remote exploit underscores the importance of network-level protections and the need for immediate remediation to prevent unauthorized access and potential system compromise.