CVE-2024-45894 in BlueCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2024
BlueCMS 1.6 suffers from Arbitrary File Deletion via the file_name parameter in an /admin/database.php?act=del request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45894 affects BlueCMS version 1.6 and represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to perform arbitrary file deletion operations through the administrative interface. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the database management functionality where the file_name parameter in the /admin/database.php?act=del request is not properly validated or sanitized. The flaw enables unauthorized users to specify any file path within the system's file structure, potentially leading to the complete removal of critical system files, configuration data, or user content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the BlueCMS administrative component. When an attacker submits a malicious file_name parameter to the database deletion endpoint, the application fails to verify whether the specified file is within the allowed deletion scope or if the user possesses proper authorization to remove the targeted file. This lack of proper validation creates a path traversal condition where attackers can manipulate the file deletion process to target any file accessible to the web application's process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks, and CWE-73, which covers improper control of filename for a path traversal attack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to cause significant disruption to the CMS functionality and data integrity. Successful exploitation could result in the deletion of essential system files, database schema definitions, user authentication data, or application configuration files that would require extensive recovery efforts and potentially lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the availability of the CMS but also its confidentiality and integrity, as the deletion of critical files could expose sensitive data or create system instability. Organizations using BlueCMS 1.6 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges, potentially escalating to full system compromise depending on the web server configuration and file permissions.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and access control measures within the administrative interface. The immediate fix requires sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly the file_name parameter, by implementing strict validation that ensures file paths are restricted to predefined directories and that users have proper authorization levels before file deletion operations can be executed. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege for administrative functions, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access database management features. Additionally, the application should employ proper path validation techniques that prevent directory traversal attacks and implement proper logging mechanisms to detect and alert on suspicious deletion activities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, where attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources and execute malicious operations with elevated privileges.