CVE-2024-30565 in SeaCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2024
An issue was discovered in SeaCMS version 12.9, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via admin notify.php.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-30565 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within SeaCMS version 12.9, specifically affecting the admin notify.php component. This vulnerability exposes a fundamental security weakness that could allow unauthorized remote attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the notification handling functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target server. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can be exploited without requiring authentication or prior access to the system, making them highly attractive targets for automated attacks and malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of parameters within the admin notify.php script, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before processing. This lack of proper input validation creates a classic injection vulnerability that can be leveraged to execute malicious commands on the underlying operating system. The flaw aligns with common weakness patterns identified in CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. Attackers can potentially craft malicious payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly execute code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise and persistent backdoor access.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-30565 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running affected SeaCMS installations face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, including user credentials, personal information, and potentially confidential business data. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network proximity. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where web applications are exposed to public networks, as it can be exploited by automated scanning tools and botnets. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability affects administrative components, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete critical system files, change user permissions, or establish persistent access through backdoor installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30565 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SeaCMS installations to version 12.9.1 or later, as provided by the vendor. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to administrative components, particularly by blocking direct access to admin notify.php and other administrative scripts from external networks. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual system activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for administrative functions, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive administrative components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation mechanisms as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and script injection, where the lack of proper input sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to execute malicious code. Organizations should also consider implementing regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their web applications and infrastructure.