CVE-2024-6940 in DedeCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2024
A vulnerability was found in DedeCMS 5.7.114. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file article_template_rand.php. The manipulation leads to code injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-271995. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6940 represents a critical code injection flaw within DedeCMS version 5.7.114, specifically affecting the article_template_rand.php component. This issue falls under the CWE-94 category of Improper Control of Generation of Code, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into executable code. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates a high potential for exploitation and significant impact on system security. The flaw exists in the random template generation functionality that processes article templates, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code into the application's execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote code injection mechanisms that allow attackers to manipulate the article_template_rand.php file to execute malicious commands on the target server. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in publicly accessible web applications to gain unauthorized access and execute code. The remote attack vector means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are exposed to the internet. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively being used in the wild significantly increases the risk to affected systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6940 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, install malware, or use the compromised server as a launch point for attacks against other systems. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the severity of this issue, leaving administrators without official patches or mitigation guidance during the critical period when the vulnerability is actively exploited. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of web applications built on DedeCMS, potentially exposing sensitive user data and compromising the overall security posture of organizations relying on this content management system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement network-level mitigations including firewall rules to block access to the vulnerable article_template_rand.php endpoint and consider disabling the affected functionality until a proper patch is available. The recommended approach includes deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability, while also monitoring for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the public availability of exploit code and active exploitation, immediate action is critical, as the window for effective defense narrows significantly once a vulnerability is publicly known and weaponized. Administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege access controls to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.