CVE-2024-38736 in Organic IDX Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2024
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in Realtyna Realtyna Organic IDX plugin allows Code Injection.This issue affects Realtyna Organic IDX plugin: from n/a through 4.14.13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38736 represents a critical security flaw in the Realtyna Organic IDX plugin that exposes systems to remote code execution through unrestricted file upload capabilities. This issue manifests as an unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type vulnerability, which directly enables attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload malicious files that can execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Realtyna Organic IDX plugin from the initial release through version 4.14.13, indicating a prolonged period during which systems remained exposed to this threat without proper mitigation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a fundamental flaw in the plugin's file upload validation process where the system fails to properly sanitize or restrict file types that can be uploaded to the server. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload files with dangerous extensions such as php, aspx, or other script-executable formats that will be processed by the web server. When these malicious files are uploaded and subsequently accessed through the web application, they execute with the privileges of the web server, potentially allowing full system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing the risk of attackers uploading malicious files that can be executed by the web application.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-38736 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the target environment. Once an attacker successfully uploads malicious code, they can establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally across the network to compromise additional systems. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, which can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and service disruption. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely used plugin, meaning that numerous websites and organizations could be simultaneously exposed to this attack vector without proper patching or mitigation.
Organizations utilizing the Realtyna Organic IDX plugin should implement immediate defensive measures while planning for comprehensive patching of the vulnerability. The most effective mitigation strategy involves upgrading to a patched version of the plugin where available, as this directly addresses the root cause of the file upload validation flaw. Additionally, administrators should implement additional security controls such as restricting file upload directories, implementing strict file type validation at multiple layers, and configuring web server rules to prevent execution of uploaded files. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 Exploitation for Execution, which emphasizes the importance of preventing code execution from untrusted sources. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can also help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for suspicious file upload patterns and malicious payloads. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of the affected systems to identify any potential compromise that may have occurred during the vulnerability's exposure period.