CVE-2019-11446 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been found in ATutor up to version 2.2.4 that allows the execution of commands on the server with the privileges of a teacher user through an arbitrary file upload vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2019-11446

This CVE identifies a security flaw in ATutor versions up to 2.2.4 that can be exploited to run commands on the server with elevated privileges.

What is CVE-2019-11446?

This vulnerability in ATutor up to version 2.2.4 enables a user to execute commands on the server with the permissions of a teacher user. The issue lies in the File Manager field's Upload Files section, specifically through upload.php.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11446

The vulnerability allows an attacker to upload arbitrary files to the server, potentially leading to remote code execution and unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11446

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The $IllegalExtensions value in ATutor does not include .shtml and .phtml, allowing bypass of file upload restrictions by using uppercase extensions like .phP.

Affected Systems and Versions

ATutor up to version 2.2.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the File Manager field's Upload Files section through upload.php.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-11446 with these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable file uploads in the affected section.
Implement strict file extension restrictions.
Monitor and review uploaded files for malicious content.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update ATutor to the latest version.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing.
Educate users on safe file handling practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and security updates provided by ATutor promptly to address this vulnerability.