CVE-2023-34842 in DedeCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/31/2023
Remote Code Execution vulnerability in DedeCMS through 5.7.109 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary code via crafted POST request to /dede/tpl.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-34842 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within DedeCMS versions up to and including 5.7.109. This security defect resides in the /dede/tpl.php component which processes user-supplied input through POST requests without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the template management functionality of DedeCMS. When a crafted POST request is sent to the /dede/tpl.php endpoint, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the incoming data parameters. This lack of proper input filtering creates an attack vector where malicious payloads can be directly executed within the context of the web application, bypassing normal security controls and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests as a classic command injection flaw where user-controllable input is directly incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or encoding.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing affected DedeCMS installations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate database contents, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware within the compromised environment. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication credentials to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting sensitive information. Organizations may experience data breaches, service disruptions, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of the compromised data.
The security implications of CVE-2023-34842 align with CWE-74 and CWE-94 categories, representing code injection vulnerabilities that allow arbitrary code execution. This flaw also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and script injection, T1078 for valid accounts, and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest DedeCMS version, implementing web application firewalls, restricting access to administrative endpoints, and conducting comprehensive security audits of affected systems. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious POST requests to administrative interfaces can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in web application development.