CVE-2023-30855 in pimcore
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2023
Pimcore is an open source data and experience management platform. Versions of Pimcore prior to 10.5.18 are vulnerable to path traversal. The impact of this path traversal and arbitrary extension is limited to creation of arbitrary files and appending data to existing files. When combined with the SQL Injection, the exported data `RESTRICTED DIFFUSION 9 / 9` can be controlled and a webshell can be uploaded. Attackers can use that to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server with the permissions of the webserver. Users may upgrade to version 10.5.18 to receive a patch or, as a workaround, apply the patch manually.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2023
CVE-2023-30855 represents a path traversal vulnerability affecting Pimcore versions prior to 10.5.18, which operates under CWE-22 Path Traversal and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in file handling operations within the platform's data management functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate file paths and create arbitrary files or append data to existing ones, effectively bypassing normal file system access controls. This path traversal flaw becomes particularly dangerous when combined with a separate SQL injection vulnerability, creating a multi-vector attack scenario that enables unauthorized data manipulation and persistence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system manipulation to include full server compromise capabilities. When attackers combine the path traversal exploit with SQL injection, they gain the ability to control exported data with restricted diffusion levels and upload webshells to the server. This combination allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects Pimcore's RESTRICTED DIFFUSION 9/9 data export functionality, which typically contains sensitive information, making the attack surface particularly concerning for organizations handling confidential data.
The attack chain begins with exploitation of the path traversal vulnerability to manipulate file creation and modification operations, followed by leveraging SQL injection to gain control over exported data streams. This dual exploitation approach enables attackers to upload malicious PHP webshells that can be executed by the web server, providing persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly isolated flaws can combine to create severe security risks, particularly in content management platforms that handle sensitive data and require robust access controls. Organizations using Pimcore versions before 10.5.18 face significant risk of unauthorized code execution and potential data breaches.
Security remediation requires immediate upgrade to Pimcore version 10.5.18, which includes patches addressing both the path traversal and SQL injection vulnerabilities. Manual patch application serves as a temporary workaround for organizations unable to upgrade immediately. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file path manipulation attempts, restricting file system permissions for web server processes, and conducting regular security audits of file handling operations. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation controls and privilege separation to minimize the impact of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing and the need for robust input validation across all file system operations in enterprise content management platforms.