CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-5022NVD status: Modified

DedeCMS: Absolute Path Traversal

CVE-2023-5022 is a high-severity absolute path traversal vulnerability in DedeCMS, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected DedeCMS versions: 5.0; 5.1; 5.2, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.81% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 57% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of DedeCMS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
DedeCMSDedeCMS5.0; 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.4; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7Not 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
LowA basic user account is enough.
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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.15.5MediumCNA (vuldb.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD
CVSS 2.05.2MediumCNA (vuldb.com)

Official description

A vulnerability has been found in DedeCMS up to 5.7.100 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /include/dialog/select_templets_post.php. The manipulation of the argument activepath leads to absolute path traversal. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-239863.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Absolute Path Traversal

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize absolute path sequences such as /abs/path that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180). Make sure that the application does not decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist validation schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked.
  • Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.

More Absolute Path Traversal vulnerabilities (CWE-36)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in DedeCMS

All DedeCMS vulnerabilities

Recent Absolute Path Traversal vulnerabilities

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