CVE-2024-57547
📋 TL;DR
CMSimple v5.16 has an insecure permissions vulnerability that allows remote attackers to download PHP backup files containing sensitive information. This affects all installations using the vulnerable version of this content management system. Attackers can craft scripts to access backup files that should be protected.
💻 Affected Systems
- CMSimple
📦 What is this software?
Cmsimple by Cmsimple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise through exposed database credentials, configuration secrets, and potential remote code execution via backup file manipulation.
Likely Case
Sensitive information disclosure including database credentials, admin passwords, and site configuration data leading to unauthorized access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permission controls and backup file location restrictions in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Public proof-of-concept available showing how to craft requests to download backup files. Exploitation requires knowledge of backup file naming conventions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 5.16 (check for updates)
Vendor Advisory: Check CMSimple official website or repository
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Upgrade to latest CMSimple version. 2. If upgrade not possible, apply security patches from vendor. 3. Remove or secure backup files in web-accessible directories.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict backup file access
allMove backup files outside web root or apply strict file permissions
chmod 600 backup_files/*
mv backup_files/ /path/outside/webroot/
Web server restrictions
ApacheAdd .htaccess rules to block access to backup file extensions
Add to .htaccess: <FilesMatch "\.(sql|bak|backup|gz|zip)$">
Order allow,deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Move all backup files to a directory outside the web server document root
- Implement web application firewall rules to block requests to backup file patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if backup files with .php extensions are accessible via HTTP requests to common backup locationsCheck Version:
Check CMSimple version in admin panel or look for version.php fileVerify Fix Applied:
Attempt to access backup files via browser or curl and verify access is denied📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests to backup file paths
- Access to files with .php.bak, .sql, .backup extensions
- Unusual file download patterns
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET requests to backup-related URLs
- Traffic patterns showing file enumeration attempts
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri="*backup*" OR uri="*.bak" OR uri="*.sql" OR uri="*.backup*")