CVE-2025-25968 in Acora CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
DDSN Interactive cm3 Acora CMS version 10.1.1 contains an improper access control vulnerability. An editor-privileged user can access sensitive information, such as system administrator credentials, by force browsing the endpoint and exploiting the 'file' parameter. By referencing specific files (e.g., cm3.xml), attackers can bypass access controls, leading to account takeover and potential privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-25968 affects the DDSN Interactive cm3 Acora CMS version 10.1.1 and represents a critical improper access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the affected system. This weakness allows an attacker with editor-level privileges to bypass intended access restrictions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability manifests through force browsing techniques targeting specific endpoints and exploiting the 'file' parameter within the application's request handling mechanism. The flaw specifically enables unauthorized information disclosure by allowing attackers to access configuration files such as cm3.xml that contain critical system credentials and administrative access details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the CMS's file handling subsystem. When the application processes requests containing the 'file' parameter, it fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses appropriate authorization levels to access the targeted resource. This insufficient validation creates a path for privilege escalation where an editor user can manipulate the parameter to reference system files that should only be accessible to administrators. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software applications, and demonstrates how weak access control mechanisms can enable attackers to bypass security boundaries and access protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential account takeover and privilege escalation scenarios. An attacker exploiting this weakness can obtain system administrator credentials stored in the cm3.xml configuration file, which could then be used to assume full administrative control over the CMS. This access level provides the attacker with complete control over the application's functionality, including the ability to modify content, manage user accounts, and potentially access underlying system resources. The vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust access control measures and input validation within the CMS application. Organizations should immediately implement proper authorization checks for all file access operations, ensuring that user privileges are strictly enforced before granting access to sensitive resources. The application should validate all input parameters against a whitelist of allowed values and implement proper authentication checks for each file access request. Additionally, system administrators should conduct immediate privilege reviews to ensure that editor accounts have minimal necessary access rights. The remediation efforts should include updating the CMS to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative endpoints, and establishing monitoring controls to detect suspicious access patterns. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, emphasizing the importance of proper access control implementation and user privilege management.