CVE-2024-8875 in wcms
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in vedees wcms up to 0.3.2. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /wex/finder.php. The manipulation of the argument p leads to path traversal. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2024
This critical vulnerability in vedees wcms version 0.3.2 represents a significant security risk through a path traversal flaw in the /wex/finder.php component. The vulnerability specifically occurs when the parameter p is manipulated, allowing attackers to traverse the file system and access unauthorized directories. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22 Path Traversal which is classified as a high-risk security flaw that can lead to unauthorized data access and system compromise. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage it without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The technical implementation of this path traversal vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the application's file handling mechanisms. When the parameter p is passed to the finder.php script without adequate restrictions, it allows malicious users to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can navigate outside the intended directory structure. This flaw essentially breaks the application's file access controls and can potentially lead to the exposure of sensitive system files, configuration data, or other confidential information that should remain protected. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it can be exploited without authentication and can result in complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access database configuration files, application source code, user credentials stored in configuration files, or other sensitive system resources that could be used to escalate privileges or launch further attacks. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery which involves techniques used to gather information about local system files and directories. The public disclosure of the exploit without vendor response creates an immediate risk for organizations using this software, as malicious actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical skills.
Organizations utilizing vedees wcms version 0.3.2 must implement immediate mitigations to protect against this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file system operations. This includes implementing strict whitelisting of acceptable input values and using secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks. Additionally, organizations should implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure highlights the importance of proactive security measures and the necessity for organizations to maintain updated security patches and alternative mitigation strategies when vendors fail to respond appropriately to security vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish network segmentation to limit the potential damage from successful attacks.