CVE-2025-45242 in Rhymix
Summary
by MITRE • 05/05/2025
Rhymix v2.1.22 was discovered to contain an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability via the procFileAdminEditImage method in /file/file.admin.controller.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-45242 affects Rhymix version 2.1.22 and represents a critical arbitrary file deletion flaw within the file management system. This vulnerability resides in the procFileAdminEditImage method located in the /file/file.admin.controller.php file, which exposes the application to unauthorized file manipulation by malicious actors. The flaw allows attackers to delete arbitrary files on the target system through crafted requests that exploit insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-285, where the application fails to properly verify that the user has authorization to perform destructive operations on files. The vulnerability specifically demonstrates a lack of proper authentication and authorization checks for file deletion operations, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and potential system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can manipulate the file deletion process through the administrative interface without proper authentication. The procFileAdminEditImage method likely accepts user-supplied parameters that control which files are targeted for deletion, but fails to validate whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to perform such operations. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and access control enforcement, where the application trusts user input without proper sanitization or authorization verification. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to remove critical system files, configuration files, or user data, leading to service disruption, data loss, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative file management interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and should be protected against unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-45242 extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it can be exploited to cause significant damage to the target system and its data integrity. Successful exploitation could result in complete system outages, data corruption, or the removal of critical application components that would require extensive recovery efforts. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative file controller means that an attacker who gains access to an administrative account or bypasses authentication could potentially delete files across the entire system, not just those within the application's scope. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1485 which describes data destruction, and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors. The impact is particularly severe in web applications where file system access is critical for application functionality and user data management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-45242 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Rhymix version to address the root cause of the arbitrary file deletion vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper access controls and authentication checks for all administrative file operations, ensuring that only authorized users can perform destructive actions. The fix should include comprehensive input validation, parameter sanitization, and strict authorization verification before any file deletion operations are executed. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring for file deletion activities can help detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Security measures should also include restricting file system permissions for the web application, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase. The remediation process should follow industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.