CVE-2023-43792 in baserCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
baserCMS is a website development framework. In versions 4.6.0 through 4.7.6, there is a Code Injection vulnerability in the mail form of baserCMS. As of time of publication, no known patched versions are available.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-43792 represents a critical code injection flaw within the baserCMS framework affecting versions 4.6.0 through 4.7.6. This security weakness specifically resides within the mail form functionality of the content management system, which is a core component used for creating and managing website contact forms and email communication systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious user inputs submitted through the mail form interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted input data that gets executed as code within the application context, potentially allowing for arbitrary command execution and full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes weaknesses in the design and implementation of code injection attacks. The flaw occurs when user-supplied data intended for form fields is directly processed without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be interpreted and executed by the server-side application. This type of vulnerability typically manifests when the application uses insecure functions such as eval() or similar dynamic code execution mechanisms, or when user input is directly incorporated into system commands or database queries without proper parameterization. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that mail forms are commonly used for user interaction and often contain sensitive data processing capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with potentially full system control over affected baserCMS installations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects not just individual websites but entire CMS installations that rely on the mail form functionality, making it a significant concern for organizations with multiple websites or those using baserCMS as a platform for managing numerous client websites. The lack of patched versions at the time of publication creates an urgent security risk for all affected deployments.
Organizations utilizing baserCMS versions 4.6.0 through 4.7.6 should immediately implement defensive measures to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all mail form fields, ensuring that user inputs are properly encoded and validated before processing. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block malicious payloads targeting code injection vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Additionally, organizations should monitor for any emerging patches or security advisories from the baserCMS development team and implement comprehensive testing procedures before any updates are deployed to production environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security practices and the necessity of regular security assessments for all web applications and frameworks in use.