CVE-2023-39834 in PbootCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/24/2023
PbootCMS below v3.2.0 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability via create_function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-39834 affects PbootCMS versions prior to v3.2.0 and represents a critical command injection flaw that leverages the create_function PHP function. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the content management system's code execution pathways. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed within the context of the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user-supplied data within the create_function PHP construct, which dynamically creates functions from strings. When PbootCMS processes certain user inputs without adequate sanitization, these inputs can contain shell commands that get passed directly to the create_function mechanism. This creates an execution path where attacker-controlled code can be interpreted and executed by the PHP interpreter, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and improper neutralization of special elements used in code execution contexts respectively.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over affected systems. Successful exploitation can result in data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments where PbootCMS instances are deployed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against adjacent systems. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it affects the core CMS functionality, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on PbootCMS for content management.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to PbootCMS v3.2.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened at multiple layers, including application-level sanitization and output encoding. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual PHP function calls and command execution patterns within web server logs. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1566 for spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as exploitation typically occurs through crafted user inputs or malicious file uploads that leverage the vulnerable create_function implementation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar patterns in other applications that may be susceptible to similar command injection flaws.