CVE-2025-4545 in Content Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2025
A vulnerability was found in CTCMS Content Management System 2.1.2. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function del of the file ctcms\apps\controllers\admin\Tpl.php of the component File Handler. The manipulation of the argument File leads to path traversal. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4545 represents a critical security flaw within the CTCMS Content Management System version 2.1.2, specifically targeting the del function within the ctcmspps file. This issue falls under the broader category of improper input validation and privilege escalation vulnerabilities, with implications that extend beyond simple data corruption to potentially enable full system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the severe impact potential, particularly given that it affects core administrative functionality that should be protected from unauthorized access and manipulation.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient sanitization and validation of user inputs within the del function, creating an opportunity for attackers to exploit improper access controls and execute malicious operations. This weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-79, covering cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, though the specific implementation appears to focus more on privilege escalation. The vulnerability allows for unauthorized deletion operations that should typically be restricted to authenticated administrators, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the application's access control mechanisms. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to remove critical content, delete user accounts, or manipulate system resources through crafted input parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond immediate data loss, as it provides potential attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access within the system. This weakness creates opportunities for lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, though the primary vector appears to be direct exploitation of the vulnerable function. Organizations utilizing CTCMS 2.1.2 face significant risk of unauthorized content manipulation, potential service disruption, and possible complete system compromise if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the CMS serves as a critical component of web infrastructure, potentially affecting multiple websites or applications hosted through the system.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching or upgrading to a version that addresses the vulnerability, as recommended by the vendor's security advisory. Organizations must implement additional access controls and input validation measures, including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting the del function. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of the CMS installation to identify any unauthorized modifications or backdoors that attackers might have established. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning, particularly focusing on administrative interfaces that handle critical operations. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring for unusual deletion activities can help detect exploitation attempts before they result in significant damage. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with exploitation attempts targeting the specific vulnerable function.