CVE-2023-5919 in Company Website CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2023
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Company Website CMS 1.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /dashboard/createblog of the component Create Blog Page. The manipulation leads to unrestricted upload. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-244310 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5919 represents a critical security flaw within the SourceCodester Company Website CMS version 1.0, specifically targeting the Create Blog Page functionality. This issue manifests through the /dashboard/createblog endpoint where the system fails to properly validate file uploads, creating an unrestricted upload condition that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates a significant security risk that has been publicly disclosed, making it accessible to malicious actors who could leverage this weakness for unauthorized system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the target system, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access to the web application and underlying infrastructure.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the file upload process, specifically within the Create Blog Page component of the CMS. When users attempt to upload files through the dashboard interface, the system does not sufficiently verify file types, extensions, or content characteristics before storing the uploaded files. This lack of proper validation creates an exploitable condition where attackers can upload malicious files such as web shells, scripts, or other harmful content that can be executed within the web server context. The unrestricted nature of this vulnerability means that no restrictions are imposed on the types of files that can be uploaded, nor are there proper checks to prevent the execution of potentially dangerous file formats. This weakness aligns with CWE-434, which describes the improper restriction of uploads of files with dangerous types, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that require robust file validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5919 extends far beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling attackers to achieve complete system compromise through the execution of malicious code uploaded via the unrestricted file upload vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the web application's backend, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the organization's infrastructure. The remote exploit capability means that threat actors can target the vulnerable system from anywhere on the internet, without requiring special privileges or physical access. This vulnerability also provides a potential pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges, move laterally within the network, or use the compromised system as a launching point for additional attacks against other systems within the organization's infrastructure. The disclosure of the exploit to the public further amplifies the risk, as it reduces the time window available for organizations to patch or defend against this specific attack vector.
Organizations utilizing SourceCodester Company Website CMS version 1.0 should immediately implement multiple layers of defensive measures to protect against exploitation of CVE-2023-5919. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing strict file validation mechanisms that restrict uploads to only safe file types, enforce proper file extension checking, and validate file content through multiple verification methods. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious file upload attempts, while ensuring that uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory to prevent direct execution. Additionally, the system should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit who can access the dashboard and upload functionality. The vulnerability's alignment with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of remote services, suggests that organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the web application, while maintaining up-to-date security patches and following the principle of least privilege for all system accounts and services.