CVE-2024-6958 in University Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in itsourcecode University Management System 1.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /st_update.php of the component Avatar File Handler. The manipulation of the argument personal_image leads to unrestricted upload. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-272080.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6958 represents a critical security flaw within the itsourcecode University Management System version 1.0, specifically targeting the avatar file handling functionality. This weakness resides in the /st_update.php script where the personal_image parameter is processed without adequate validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to upload arbitrary files to the system. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates severe implications for system integrity and data security, as it allows for unrestricted file uploads that can potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Avatar File Handler component. When users submit personal_image data through the st_update.php endpoint, the system fails to properly verify file types, extensions, or content, enabling attackers to bypass normal upload restrictions. This flaw directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the weakness of allowing untrusted data to be uploaded or imported into a system without proper validation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can leverage this weakness from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, as it creates opportunities for attackers to execute malicious code within the target environment. Successful exploitation could enable threat actors to deploy web shells, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that persistently compromise the system. The unrestricted upload capability allows for the deployment of files with executable permissions, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or complete system takeover. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the uploaded files to execute commands on the compromised system.
Organizations utilizing the University Management System version 1.0 must implement immediate mitigations to address this critical vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing strict file validation mechanisms that verify file types, content, and extensions before allowing uploads to proceed. This includes maintaining a whitelist of allowed file extensions, implementing proper MIME type checking, and ensuring uploaded files are stored in non-executable directories. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit file upload capabilities to authenticated users only, while implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding throughout the application. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The disclosure of exploit details in VDB-272080 further emphasizes the urgency of implementing these mitigations as threat actors may already be leveraging this weakness in active attacks against vulnerable systems.