CVE-2024-7342 in UEditor
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2024
A vulnerability was found in Baidu UEditor 1.4.3.3. It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown part of the file /ueditor/php/controller.php?action=uploadfile&encode=utf-8. The manipulation of the argument upfile leads to unrestricted upload. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-273273 was assigned to this vulnerability. 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 • 03/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7342 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in Baidu UEditor version 1.4.3.3, specifically within the /ueditor/php/controller.php file when processing the uploadfile action with UTF-8 encoding. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly verify the file types being uploaded through the upfile parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates a significant risk to system integrity and data security, particularly given the widespread use of UEditor in web applications and content management systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the upfile argument in the controller.php file, which allows attackers to upload malicious files without proper authorization or validation. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be initiated remotely, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no local system access or privileged credentials to exploit. The unrestricted upload capability enables attackers to deploy web shells, malware, or other malicious payloads that can compromise the entire web server infrastructure. The vulnerability's exposure through the PHP controller interface suggests that the application fails to implement proper file type checking, size limitations, or content validation measures that would normally prevent the upload of executable or potentially harmful file formats.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using Baidu UEditor, as it can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively being used in the wild significantly increases the threat level, as security teams have limited time to implement protective measures before exploitation occurs. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the risk, leaving affected organizations without official patches or mitigation guidance during a critical period when attackers are actively targeting systems. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the weakness of unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can use the compromised system to execute commands and establish persistent access.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-7342 should immediately implement multiple layers of defense including network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable endpoints, implementing strict file type validation at the application level, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts. The recommended mitigations include disabling unnecessary upload functionality, implementing strict file extension and MIME type validation, using random file naming conventions, storing uploaded files outside the web root directory, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file upload activities and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle such exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's remote exploitability and public disclosure status necessitates immediate action to prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches across affected systems.