CVE-2018-10084 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) version 2.2.6 and below, allowing ordinary users to elevate their privileges to admin level by manipulating $_COOKIE[$this->_loginkey] and bypassing SHA-1 protection.

Understanding CVE-2018-10084

This CVE involves a privilege escalation vulnerability in CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) version 2.2.6 and earlier, enabling users to escalate their permissions to admin status.

What is CVE-2018-10084?

The vulnerability allows ordinary users to gain admin privileges by manipulating the eff_uid value in $_COOKIE[$this->_loginkey].
By bypassing the SHA-1 cryptographic protection mechanism, attackers can exploit this vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10084

Attackers can elevate their permissions from ordinary user to admin, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information and performing malicious actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10084

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) through version 2.2.6 contains a flaw that enables privilege escalation by setting the eff_uid value in $_COOKIE[$this->_loginkey] to 1.
The vulnerability arises due to the bypassing of the SHA-1 cryptographic protection mechanism.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) version 2.2.6 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the eff_uid value in $_COOKIE[$this->_loginkey] to escalate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-10084 is crucial to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) to a version that includes a patch addressing the vulnerability.
Monitor user privileges and access levels to detect any unauthorized escalations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms and access controls to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) promptly to address the privilege escalation vulnerability.