Overview
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures system, commonly referred to as CVE, has identified a significant security flaw within versions 0.980 through to 1.x before 1.660 of Usermin. This vulnerability, designated CVE-2015-2079, is a key concern for system administrators and cybersecurity professionals. Its criticality stems from the fact that successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, potentially compromising system security or resulting in data leakage.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2015-2079
Severity: Critical (9.9 CVSS score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Remote code execution, potential system compromise, and data leakage
Affected Products
No phone number, email, or personal info required.
Product | Affected Versions
Usermin | 0.980 through 1.x before 1.660
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability exists within the uconfig_save.cgi functionality of Usermin. Specifically, it arises as Usermin incorrectly uses the two-argument form of Perl’s open function in the sig_file_free parameter. As a result, it does not properly neutralize special elements, leading to a potential injection vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this by crafting a special payload, which, when processed, can lead to remote code execution.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a
conceptual
example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This could be a sample HTTP request, shell command, or pseudocode:
POST /uconfig_save.cgi HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
sig_file_free=|; malicious_command_here ;|In the above example, “malicious_command_here” would be replaced with the actual command an attacker wishes to execute on the target system.
Mitigation and Conclusion
To mitigate this vulnerability, affected users should apply the vendor-supplied patch for Usermin immediately. If the patch cannot be applied at once, a web application firewall (WAF) or intrusion detection system (IDS) can be used as a temporary measure to help protect against potential exploits. However, these are not long-term solutions and the patch should be applied as soon as feasible.
Remember, staying updated on the latest vulnerabilities and patches is a critical aspect of maintaining a secure and robust cybersecurity posture. Stay safe and always keep your systems updated.