CVE-2020-19303

7.8 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to upload arbitrary files to hdcms 5.7 via the /fileupload.php endpoint, potentially leading to remote code execution. Any system running the vulnerable version of hdcms is affected. Attackers can upload malicious files that get executed on the server.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • hdcms
Versions: 5.7
Operating Systems: All operating systems running PHP
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: The vulnerability exists in the default installation of hdcms 5.7. No special configuration is required for exploitation.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the web server, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.

🟠

Likely Case

Webshell deployment leading to data theft, defacement, or use as a foothold for further attacks.

🟢

If Mitigated

File uploads blocked or properly validated, preventing malicious file execution.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - The vulnerability is in a web application component directly accessible from the internet.
🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal systems could still be targeted via phishing or compromised internal accounts.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes
Weaponized: LIKELY
Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes
Complexity: LOW

The vulnerability is simple to exploit with publicly available proof-of-concept code. Attackers can upload files without authentication.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Later versions after 5.7

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/houdunwang/hdcms/issues/6

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Upgrade hdcms to the latest version. 2. Replace the vulnerable /fileupload.php file with the patched version. 3. Verify file upload functionality still works correctly.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable file upload endpoint

linux

Temporarily disable or restrict access to the vulnerable /fileupload.php endpoint

mv /path/to/hdcms/fileupload.php /path/to/hdcms/fileupload.php.disabled
chmod 000 /path/to/hdcms/fileupload.php

Implement file upload restrictions

all

Add server-side validation to restrict file types and extensions

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Implement strict file upload validation (whitelist allowed extensions, validate file content)
  • Place file upload directory outside web root with proper permissions

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if hdcms version is 5.7 and if /fileupload.php exists without proper file validation

Check Version:

Check hdcms configuration files or admin panel for version information

Verify Fix Applied:

Test file upload functionality with malicious files to ensure they are rejected

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual file uploads to /fileupload.php
  • Uploads of executable files (php, jsp, asp)
  • Large number of failed upload attempts

Network Indicators:

  • POST requests to /fileupload.php with suspicious file content
  • Traffic patterns indicating webshell communication

SIEM Query:

source="web_logs" AND uri="/fileupload.php" AND (file_extension="php" OR file_extension="jsp" OR file_extension="asp")

🔗 References

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