CVE-2024-44724 in AutoCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2024
AutoCMS v5.4 was discovered to contain a PHP code injection vulnerability via the txtsite_url parameter at /admin/site_add.php. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via injecting a crafted value.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-44724 affects AutoCMS version 5.4 and represents a critical PHP code injection flaw that resides within the administrative interface of the content management system. This vulnerability manifests through the txtsite_url parameter in the /admin/site_add.php file, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote code execution capabilities for malicious actors. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing, allowing attackers to inject malicious PHP code directly into the application's execution flow.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which categorizes improper validation of dangerous data as a code injection weakness. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious payloads and injecting them through the txtsite_url parameter, bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent code execution. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input is directly incorporated into PHP execution contexts without proper sanitization or encoding. This creates an environment where arbitrary PHP code can be executed with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected system. Once exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or complete server takeover. The administrative context of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify or delete content, add malicious users, or access sensitive administrative functions. This represents a severe threat to organizations relying on AutoCMS v5.4, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative interfaces are accessible from untrusted networks.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of the affected AutoCMS version to the latest available release. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit access to administrative interfaces, particularly restricting these areas to trusted IP addresses. Input validation should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent any user-supplied data from being executed as code, implementing proper sanitization and encoding techniques. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities related to administrative functions and unusual parameter values. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for PHP code injection and T1566 for credential access through web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security monitoring. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications and implement secure coding practices to prevent future injection flaws.