CVE-2024-55086 in GetSimple
Summary
by MITRE • 12/18/2024
In the GetSimple CMS CE 3.3.19 management page, Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) can be achieved in the plug-in download address in the backend management system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-55086 represents a critical Server-Side Request Forgery flaw within the GetSimple CMS CE 3.3.19 management interface. This issue specifically affects the plugin download functionality within the backend administration system, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate the download address parameter. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied URLs used for plugin downloads, creating an avenue for malicious actors to forge requests to internal or external systems. This flaw operates at the intersection of insecure input handling and inadequate access controls, potentially enabling unauthorized data exfiltration or internal network reconnaissance.
The technical implementation of this SSRF vulnerability occurs when administrators or authenticated users interact with the plugin management features in the GetSimple CMS backend. The system accepts a URL parameter that specifies the location from which to download plugins without sufficient validation of the input. Attackers can exploit this by providing malicious URLs that point to internal services, local network resources, or external servers under their control. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-918 as a Server-Side Request Forgery, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications where servers are induced to make unintended requests to other systems. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in content management systems where administrative privileges are granted, as it can potentially allow attackers to bypass network segmentation and access internal resources that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-55086 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable comprehensive internal network reconnaissance and potentially lead to further system compromise. An attacker with access to the backend management system could use this vulnerability to probe internal services, potentially discovering other vulnerable systems, accessing sensitive data stored on internal servers, or even escalating privileges within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where CMS systems often serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as it can be used to perform DNS tunneling or other network reconnaissance activities. The impact is amplified when considering that the vulnerability exists in the management interface, suggesting that successful exploitation could provide attackers with administrative capabilities within the CMS itself.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-55086 should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all URL parameters used in the plugin download functionality. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-supplied patch or update to a version that addresses this vulnerability. Network-level protections such as firewall rules and proxy configurations can help limit outbound requests from the CMS server to prevent unauthorized access to internal resources. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation ensures that even if exploitation occurs, the attacker's capabilities remain limited. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that the fix properly validates all input parameters and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist in the plugin management system. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in plugin download activities, particularly requests to unusual or internal IP addresses. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SSRF attempts, as this type of vulnerability is frequently targeted in automated attacks against CMS platforms.