CVE-2024-48237 in WTCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2024
WTCMS 1.0 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control in \Common\Controller\HomebaseController.class.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-48237 affects WTCMS 1.0, a content management system that suffers from incorrect access control within its core controller component. This flaw exists in the \Common\Controller\HomebaseController.class.php file, which serves as a foundational controller for the application's frontend interface. The improper access control mechanism allows unauthorized users to bypass authentication checks and gain access to restricted administrative functions or sensitive data that should only be available to authenticated administrators.
This vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper authorization controls. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the application's access control mechanisms without proper authentication, potentially allowing them to execute privileged operations such as modifying content, accessing user data, or performing administrative tasks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the HomebaseController, which fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to access specific resources or execute certain actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could potentially escalate privileges, modify or delete content, access confidential information, or even establish persistent access to the system. The vulnerability affects the entire application since the HomebaseController is likely a base class that other controllers inherit from, meaning the access control bypass could potentially impact multiple application modules. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core level of the application architecture, making it difficult to contain and remediate.
According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-285: "Improper Authorization," which specifically addresses situations where the application fails to properly verify that an actor has sufficient permissions to perform an action. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078: "Valid Accounts" as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain access to legitimate administrative accounts through improper access control mechanisms. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper authentication and authorization checks within the controller, ensuring that all user actions are validated against appropriate permission levels before execution. Security patches should include robust access control validation that checks user credentials and privileges for each request, and the application should implement role-based access control with clear separation of duties. Additionally, regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar access control issues in other parts of the application.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly in content management systems where administrators have extensive privileges. Organizations using WTCMS 1.0 should immediately assess their current security posture and implement patches or workarounds to address this vulnerability. The flaw serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing, including penetration testing and code review processes, to identify and remediate access control vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Regular updates to the application and adherence to security best practices are essential for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the system.