CVE-2024-1875 in Complaint Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2024
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Complaint Management System 1.0 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file users/register-complaint.php of the component Lodge Complaint Section. 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-254723.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1875 represents a critical security flaw in the SourceCodester Complaint Management System version 1.0, specifically within the lodge complaint section functionality. This issue manifests as an unrestricted file upload vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload malicious files to the server. The vulnerability exists within the users/register-complaint.php file, which processes user submissions in the complaint management workflow. The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning that malicious actors can leverage this weakness without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure. The disclosure of this exploit to the public community significantly increases the risk profile as it provides attackers with readily available tools and techniques to compromise affected systems. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications accept and process untrusted files without proper validation or sanitization. The implications extend beyond simple file upload capabilities as this weakness can lead to complete system compromise through malicious code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a file through the lodge complaint section without proper input validation. The system fails to properly verify file types, extensions, or content, allowing potentially dangerous files such as php shells, webshells, or other malicious executables to be uploaded to the server. The unrestricted nature of this upload means that attackers can bypass standard security controls that would normally prevent such file types from being processed. This weakness typically stems from inadequate server-side validation where the application relies solely on client-side checks or fails to implement proper file type filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability may also indicate poor implementation of file handling processes and insufficient access controls on the upload directory. From an attack perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1059 which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters. The exploitation process likely involves uploading a malicious payload that can then be executed to gain unauthorized access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a direct path to system compromise and potential data exfiltration. Successful exploitation can result in complete unauthorized access to the complaint management system, allowing attackers to view, modify, or delete sensitive complaint data. The vulnerability also poses risks to the underlying server infrastructure, as uploaded malicious files could be executed to establish persistent backdoors, create command and control channels, or launch further attacks against internal networks. Organizations using this system face significant risks including regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and potential service disruption. The critical classification indicates that the vulnerability can be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution and complete system takeover. The public disclosure of this exploit increases the likelihood of automated attacks targeting vulnerable installations, making immediate remediation essential. Additionally, the vulnerability may affect system availability through potential denial of service conditions if attackers upload resource-intensive malicious files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1875 require immediate implementation of multiple security controls to address the unrestricted file upload vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file type validation on the server side, rejecting any files that do not conform to approved extensions and content types. The upload directory should be configured with proper access controls, ensuring that uploaded files cannot be executed directly by the web server. Input sanitization and output encoding should be implemented to prevent malicious code injection, while proper file naming conventions should be enforced to prevent directory traversal attacks. The system should be updated to the latest version of the SourceCodester Complaint Management System where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper file validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious upload activities, while regular security audits should verify that file upload processes are properly secured. Security controls should align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, particularly focusing on access control and input validation requirements. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other system components.