CVE-2018-12596 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Remote attackers can exploit a vulnerability in Episerver Ektron CMS versions prior to 9.0 SP3 Site CU 31, 9.1 prior to SP3 Site CU 45, and 9.2 prior to SP2 Site CU 22, allowing them to call aspx pages through the "activateuser.aspx" page, even if the page is under the restricted /WorkArea/ path.

Understanding CVE-2018-12596

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Episerver Ektron CMS that enables remote attackers to access specific pages.

What is CVE-2018-12596?

Episerver Ektron CMS versions before 9.0 SP3 Site CU 31, 9.1 before SP3 Site CU 45, or 9.2 before SP2 Site CU 22 are susceptible to a flaw that permits attackers to invoke aspx pages via the "activateuser.aspx" page, bypassing normal restrictions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12596

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to access aspx pages, even those typically restricted to local administrators, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12596

This section provides detailed technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Episerver Ektron CMS versions prior to specified Site CUs allows remote users to call aspx pages through the "activateuser.aspx" page, circumventing access restrictions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Episerver Ektron CMS versions before 9.0 SP3 Site CU 31
Episerver Ektron CMS versions before 9.1 SP3 Site CU 45
Episerver Ektron CMS versions before 9.2 SP2 Site CU 22

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by invoking aspx pages through the "activateuser.aspx" page, even if the page is located under the typically restricted /WorkArea/ path.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-12596 with these security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly.
Restrict access to sensitive pages and directories.
Monitor and analyze access logs for suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch CMS software to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement access controls and user permissions to limit unauthorized access.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Episerver Ektron CMS is updated to versions 9.0 SP3 Site CU 31, 9.1 SP3 Site CU 45, or 9.2 SP2 Site CU 22 to mitigate the vulnerability.