CVE-2024-2016 in ZhiCms
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in ZhiCms 4.0. Affected is the function index of the file app/manage/controller/setcontroller.php. The manipulation of the argument sitename leads to code injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-255270 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2025
This critical vulnerability exists within ZhiCms 4.0's management interface, specifically in the setcontroller.php file where the index function fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters. The flaw manifests when the sitename argument is processed, creating a code injection vector that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious actors can trigger the code injection without requiring physical access to the server, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community significantly increases the risk exposure as threat actors can immediately leverage this vulnerability without requiring additional reconnaissance or development efforts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's controller layer, specifically in how the sitename parameter is handled during the index function execution. This represents a classic code injection vulnerability that falls under the CWE-94 weakness category, which encompasses the execution of arbitrary code or commands due to improper handling of untrusted data. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it can be exploited to achieve complete system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative privileges, execute malicious payloads, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in a management controller, which typically possesses elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using ZhiCms 4.0, as successful exploitation could result in full system compromise, data theft, service disruption, or the establishment of persistent access points for further attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet, eliminating the need for local network access or physical presence. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses if their systems are compromised through this vulnerability. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system also increases the risk of defacement, data exfiltration, and potential use as a stepping stone for lateral movement within network environments where the system is deployed.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the ZhiCms 4.0 application to address the input validation flaw in the setcontroller.php file. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to monitor and restrict access to management interfaces, particularly when these interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks. Input sanitization measures should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level validation, parameterized queries, and output encoding to prevent malicious code execution. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in management interface access, particularly around the sitename parameter. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to provide an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) suggests that attackers may leverage PowerShell commands through the code injection to execute malicious payloads, making comprehensive endpoint protection essential. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications within the organization's attack surface.