CVE-2023-4591 in Serverstack
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2023
A local file inclusion vulnerability has been found in WPN-XM Serverstack affecting version 0.8.6, which would allow an unauthenticated user to perform a local file inclusion (LFI) via the /tools/webinterface/index.php?page parameter by sending a GET request. This vulnerability could lead to the loading of a PHP file on the server, leading to a critical webshell exploit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4591 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the WPN-XM Serverstack version 0.8.6, exposing a significant security weakness that could be exploited by unauthenticated attackers. This vulnerability specifically targets the web interface component of the server stack, creating an attack vector that allows remote exploitation without requiring any authentication credentials. The flaw manifests through the /tools/webinterface/index.php?page parameter, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input, thereby enabling malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting arbitrary file paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the PHP application logic. When a GET request is sent to the vulnerable endpoint with a crafted page parameter, the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into file inclusion operations without proper sanitization or access control checks. This primitive handling of user input creates a direct path for attackers to traverse the file system and potentially load arbitrary PHP files from the server. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper control of code generation or execution, and specifically manifests as a local file inclusion vulnerability that can be leveraged for remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing threat actors to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The potential for webshell deployment represents a particularly dangerous aspect of this vulnerability, as it enables attackers to maintain long-term access to the compromised system. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for Server Software Component, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities that can be exploited for code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4591 should prioritize immediate patching of the WPN-XM Serverstack to version 0.8.7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are thoroughly validated before being used in file inclusion operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits of their server configurations, disable unnecessary web interfaces, and implement principle of least privilege access controls. Regular vulnerability assessments and security monitoring should be maintained to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the server infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling in preventing remote code execution attacks.