A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in SolarView Compact versions 4. and 5., which leaves the system open to unrestricted file upload attacks. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to upload malicious PHP files that can compromise the affected system. In this post, we will dive into the details of CVE-2022-44354, including the exploitation details, original references, and remediation steps.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability resides in the file upload functionality of SolarView Compact, which doesn't properly validate the user input and allows the uploading of files with an arbitrary extension. This allows an attacker to create a specifically crafted PHP file to be uploaded and executed on the server, providing unauthorized file system access, code execution, or even a full system compromise.

The following code snippet demonstrates a sample PHP file that an attacker might use to exploit this vulnerability:

<?php
  echo "<h1>Hacked by Attacker</h1>";
  echo "<pre>";
  system("id");
  echo "</pre>";
?>

With this simple PHP script, an attacker would be able to echo a "Hacked by Attacker" message on the webpage and execute the "id" command on the underlying server, displaying the user and group identification information.

Original References

1. CVE-2022-44354 - National Vulnerability Database
2. SolarView Compact Advisory - Developer Website

To mitigate this vulnerability, apply the following steps

1. Immediately upgrade SolarView Compact to the latest version. The developers have released patches to address this vulnerability in newer versions. The patches can be found on the SolarView Compact Downloads page.

Limit the access rights and file permissions for the upload directory.

3. Implement proper server-side input validation and filtering mechanisms to block the uploading of files with potentially malicious extensions or content types, like .php, .exe, or .js.
4. Regularly monitor and review your log files to identify any suspicious activities related to file uploads.
5. Employ web application firewalls (WAF) and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to monitor and block potential attacks.

Conclusion

The unrestricted file upload vulnerability in SolarView Compact (CVE-2022-44354) is a serious security issue that could lead to unauthorized access, sensitive data disclosure, or complete system compromise. By being aware of the possible exploitation details, understanding the original references, and applying the recommended remediation steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to this vulnerability. Remain vigilant and proactive in evaluating and updating your environment to protect your systems from evolving security threats.

Timeline

Published on: 11/29/2022 17:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 12/01/2022 20:01:00 UTC