CVE-2023-1482 in HkCms
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in HkCms 2.2.4.230206. This affects an unknown part of the file /admin.php/appcenter/local.html?type=addon of the component External Plugin Handler. The manipulation leads to code injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-223365 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2023
This vulnerability exists within the HkCms content management system version 2.2.4.230206, specifically targeting the External Plugin Handler component through the /admin.php/appcenter/local.html?type=addon file path. The flaw represents a code injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the application's context. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates a significant security risk that could compromise the entire system. According to industry standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Input and Output Validation" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter". The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning malicious actors can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the External Plugin Handler component. When processing the type=addon parameter in the local.html file, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into code execution paths. This allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the application's environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's disclosure in public exploit databases such as VDB-223365 indicates that threat actors have already developed working exploits for this flaw. The remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from any location without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the compromised system. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the application's functionality, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the administrative interface of the CMS, which means successful exploitation could lead to complete administrative control over the content management system. This type of vulnerability can result in significant business disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations, particularly in environments where the CMS handles sensitive information. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects a core administrative component, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to critical system functions.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from HkCms vendor, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. Input validation controls should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar flaws. The vulnerability's public disclosure status necessitates immediate action, as it is likely already being exploited in the wild. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual patterns in the affected file path and parameter combinations, while access controls should be tightened to limit administrative access to authorized personnel only. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive code review to identify and address similar injection vulnerabilities across the entire application codebase, following secure coding practices that prevent code injection attacks through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms.