CVE-2023-36458 in 1Panel
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2023
1Panel is an open source Linux server operation and maintenance management panel. Prior to version 1.3.6, an authenticated attacker can craft a malicious payloads to achieve command injection when entering the container terminal. The vulnerability has been fixed in v1.3.6.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-36458 affects 1Panel, an open source Linux server operation and maintenance management panel that provides administrators with a graphical interface for managing various server components. This security flaw exists in versions prior to 1.3.6 and represents a critical command injection vulnerability that can be exploited by authenticated attackers who have access to the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the container terminal functionality of the application, where malicious payloads can be crafted to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying host system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-77, which represents command injection flaws that occur when user-supplied data is improperly incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization or validation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the container terminal interface of 1Panel. When authenticated users interact with the container terminal functionality, the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into system commands. This allows an attacker who has gained access to the 1Panel interface to craft malicious payloads that can bypass normal security boundaries and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the 1Panel service account. The attack vector specifically targets the terminal functionality where users can interact with containerized applications, making this particularly dangerous in environments where multiple containers are managed through the panel. This vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain full control over the underlying server infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-36458 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides authenticated attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code on the host system. This capability can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, install additional malware, or compromise other services running on the same host. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in server environments where 1Panel is used for managing critical infrastructure, as it can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to databases, application servers, and other sensitive components. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to move laterally within a network, escalate privileges, and maintain persistent access to compromised systems, making it a significant threat to overall system security and integrity.
Organizations using 1Panel should immediately upgrade to version 1.3.6 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The fix implemented in version 1.3.6 addresses the command injection flaw through proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the container terminal functionality. Security administrators should also implement additional monitoring and access controls around the 1Panel interface to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper security controls in web applications, particularly those with administrative capabilities. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their 1Panel installations and review access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through compromised interfaces, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation and remote code execution attacks.