CVE-2023-44846 in SeaCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
An issue in SeaCMS v.12.8 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code via the admin_ notify.php component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-44846 affects SeaCMS version 12.8 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the admin_notify.php component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it provides attackers with direct access to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The flaw exists within the administrative interface of the content management system, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges and gain persistent access to the web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of parameters passed to the admin_notify.php script, which likely processes user inputs without adequate sanitization or validation checks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that bypass security controls and inject executable code into the system. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-94 which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" as it targets publicly accessible web interfaces. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution because the application fails to implement proper input validation, output encoding, or secure coding practices when processing data from administrative components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, deploy malware, or use the compromised system as a launch point for attacking other networked systems. The affected SeaCMS installation could become part of a botnet, or attackers might use it to host malicious content, making the compromise a significant risk to both the organization and its users. Organizations relying on this version of SeaCMS face potential regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage should such an attack occur, as the vulnerability represents a serious gap in the application's security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-44846 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected SeaCMS version to the latest available release that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the administrative interface to trusted networks only. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious traffic patterns, implementing strict input validation at all application entry points, and conducting regular security assessments of the CMS and its components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, while regular security updates and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to prevent similar issues in the future. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening the overall security configuration of the CMS, including disabling unnecessary features, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and implementing proper logging and audit trails to detect potential compromise attempts.