CVE-2023-7037 in automad
Summary
by MITRE • 12/21/2023
A vulnerability was found in automad up to 1.10.9. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function import of the file FileController.php. The manipulation of the argument importUrl leads to server-side request forgery. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-248686 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7037 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Automad content management system version 1.10.9 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the FileController.php component and specifically targets the import function's handling of the importUrl argument. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the importUrl parameter in a manner that allows them to initiate unauthorized requests to arbitrary destinations, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining access to internal systems or sensitive data. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its remote exploitation capability and the potential for widespread impact across affected installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper validation and sanitization of user-supplied input within the file import functionality. When the importUrl parameter is processed by the FileController.php component, insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject crafted URLs that can trigger requests to internal network services or external malicious endpoints. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-918 category of Server-Side Request Forgery, where an attacker can manipulate the target of a server-side request to access resources that would normally be restricted. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning that exploitation does not require physical access to the system or local network privileges, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-7037 extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities against internal network infrastructure, potentially accessing sensitive systems that are not directly exposed to the internet. The vulnerability could enable attackers to probe internal services, gather information about network topology, or even facilitate further attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation. Additionally, the fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is known to be exploitable increases the risk profile significantly. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts creates a particularly concerning scenario where affected organizations may not receive timely patches or mitigation guidance, leaving systems vulnerable for extended periods.
Organizations running Automad versions up to 1.10.9 must implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems from exploitation. The primary recommendation involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file import operations. Network-level protections such as firewalls and web application firewalls should be configured to restrict outbound connections from the application server to prevent unauthorized external communications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege configurations for the application, limiting its ability to access internal network resources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1190 - Proxy Process, as it enables attackers to use legitimate application functions to perform malicious activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other application components. System administrators should also monitor for unusual outbound network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's nature makes such monitoring particularly important for early detection of attacks.