PowerCMS XMLRPC API: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
CVE-2022-33941 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in PowerCMS XMLRPC API from Alfasado, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.88% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 80% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of PowerCMS XMLRPC API you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on powercms.jp for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfasado | PowerCMS XMLRPC API | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Alfasado | Powercms | 4.51 and earlier; 5.0 through 5.21; 6.0 through 6.021 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
Official description
PowerCMS XMLRPC API provided by Alfasado Inc. contains a command injection vulnerability. Sending a specially crafted message by POST method to PowerCMS XMLRPC API may allow arbitrary Perl script execution, and an arbitrary OS command may be executed through it. Affected products/versions are as follows: PowerCMS 6.021 and earlier (PowerCMS 6 Series), PowerCMS 5.21 and earlier (PowerCMS 5 Series), and PowerCMS 4.51 and earlier (PowerCMS 4 Series). Note that all versions of PowerCMS 3 Series and earlier which are unsupported (End-of-Life, EOL) are also affected by this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN76024879/index.htmlThird Party Advisory
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities
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