CVE-2025-5137 in DedeCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/25/2025
A vulnerability was found in DedeCMS 5.7.117. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the file dede/sys_verifies.php?action=getfiles of the component Incomplete Fix CVE-2018-9175. The manipulation of the argument refiles leads to code injection. 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 • 06/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-5137 represents a critical code injection flaw within DedeCMS version 5.7.117, specifically within the sys_verifies.php file in the getfiles action. This issue stems from an incomplete fix for a previously disclosed vulnerability CVE-2018-9175, indicating a pattern of security regressions in the software's handling of user-supplied input. The flaw manifests in the refiles parameter processing, where inadequate input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary code into the system. The vulnerability's classification as critical reflects its potential for remote code execution, which can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The exploitation of this vulnerability can occur remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of the refiles argument within the getfiles function of the sys_verifies.php component. When user input is directly processed without adequate sanitization or validation, attackers can manipulate the refiles parameter to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the web application. This code injection occurs because the system fails to properly escape or validate the input before using it in system operations, creating a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution. The incomplete fix for CVE-2018-9175 suggests that the developers may have implemented a superficial patch that does not adequately address the root cause of the vulnerability, leaving the system exposed to similar attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-5137 extends beyond simple code injection, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, install additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other systems. The public disclosure of the exploit increases the likelihood of widespread exploitation, as threat actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical skills. Organizations running affected DedeCMS versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that organizations cannot rely solely on network segmentation to protect against this threat, as attackers can target the application from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-5137 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected DedeCMS version to the latest available release that contains a proper fix for both CVE-2025-5137 and CVE-2018-9175. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential compromise. Input validation should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar issues, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include checks for unusual file modifications, unauthorized access attempts, and other indicators of compromise that may result from this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional application-layer protections to provide defense-in-depth against similar code injection attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under code injection and remote command execution categories.