CVE-2024-0523 in CmsEasy
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2024
A vulnerability was found in CmsEasy up to 7.7.7. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function getslide_child_action in the library lib/admin/language_admin.php. The manipulation of the argument sid leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-250693 was 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 • 02/03/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-0523 represents a critical sql injection flaw in CmsEasy version 7.7.7 and earlier, demonstrating a severe weakness in the content management system's administrative interface. This vulnerability specifically resides within the getslide_child_action function located in the library file lib/admin/language_admin.php, making it a targeted attack vector against the system's language management capabilities. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the sid parameter and execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially compromising the entire system infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its remote exploitability and the disclosed public exploit available in VDB-250693, which significantly increases the risk of widespread exploitation across vulnerable installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the common sql injection pattern where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker supplies a malicious sid argument to the getslide_child_action function, the system fails to validate or escape the input before using it in database operations. This creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that can manipulate database records, extract sensitive information, or even gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability's location within the administrative language management component suggests that successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation or complete system compromise, as administrative functions typically require elevated permissions and access to sensitive system data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as sql injection attacks can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data manipulation, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential system takeover. The remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network connectivity, allowing for widespread exploitation from anywhere on the internet. The fact that the vendor did not respond to early disclosure attempts creates a particularly concerning scenario where organizations may be left vulnerable for extended periods without official patches or mitigations. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 sql injection weakness, which is categorized under the Software Fault Pattern taxonomy and represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-0523 should implement immediate mitigations including blocking access to the vulnerable endpoint, applying the latest available patches from the vendor if they become available, and monitoring database logs for suspicious activities. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, while regular security audits should focus on identifying similar input validation issues throughout the application codebase. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 legitimate credentials and T1071.004 application layer protocols, highlighting the multi-stage attack approach that attackers may employ after initial exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and implementing proper input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of the application architecture, following security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and OWASP top ten security guidelines.