CVE-2024-0783 in Online Admission System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/22/2024
A vulnerability was found in Project Worlds Online Admission System 1.0 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file documents.php. The manipulation leads to unrestricted upload. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-251699.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0783 represents a critical security flaw in the Project Worlds Online Admission System version 1.0, specifically within the documents.php file processing functionality. This issue falls under the category of unrestricted file upload vulnerabilities, which are particularly dangerous as they allow attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and potentially execute malicious code on the target system. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the severe potential impact on system integrity and data security.
The technical flaw manifests in the inadequate validation and sanitization of file uploads within the documents.php component, enabling attackers to upload files with potentially harmful content such as web shells, malicious scripts, or other executable payloads. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation controls that fail to properly verify file types, extensions, or content characteristics before accepting uploads. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through remote access, eliminating the need for physical system access or local privileges. The attack vector leverages the web interface of the admission system, making it accessible to any attacker with network connectivity to the target server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive admission records. Attackers could upload malicious files that would execute with the privileges of the web application, potentially enabling them to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or launch further attacks against the internal network. The disclosure of the exploit publicly increases the risk of widespread exploitation, as malicious actors can readily implement the attack without requiring specialized knowledge or development time. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-434, which specifically addresses unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust file upload validation mechanisms that enforce strict content type checking, filename sanitization, and proper file extension filtering. The system should employ multiple layers of validation including server-side checks, content analysis, and storage in non-executable directories. Security measures must include restricting file upload capabilities to authorized users only, implementing proper access controls, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts. Organizations should also establish regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning procedures to identify similar weaknesses in their systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the importance of securing externally accessible applications and implementing proper input validation controls to prevent unauthorized file uploads and potential system compromise.