CVE-2024-44916 in SeaCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2024
Vulnerability in admin_ip.php in Seacms v13.1, when action=set, allows attackers to control IP parameters that are written to the data/admin/ip.php file and could result in arbitrary command execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-44916 represents a critical security flaw within the Seacms content management system version 13.1, specifically affecting the admin_ip.php component. This issue arises when the system processes requests with the action parameter set to "set," creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can manipulate IP configuration parameters that are subsequently written to the data/admin/ip.php file. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before it is persisted to the file system, creating a direct pathway for remote code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic case of command injection through file manipulation. When an attacker submits crafted IP parameters through the administrative interface, the system does not adequately sanitize these inputs before writing them to the ip.php configuration file. This allows for the injection of malicious code that can be executed when the file is subsequently processed by the application. The vulnerability essentially enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the underlying system, as the written code executes within the context of the web application's privileges.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Seacms v13.1, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to achieve arbitrary command execution on the affected server. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise, potentially allowing attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the administrative level, meaning that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise without requiring additional authentication mechanisms. Security teams should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat that could lead to persistent access and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the Seacms application to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations must also implement input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed or written to any configuration files. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only authorized personnel, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect suspicious activities in the data/admin directory. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, where attackers can leverage administrative interfaces to gain broader system access. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system.