Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

Critical Code Injection Vulnerability Threatens WTCMS: CVE-2025-13786

Overview

A high-severity code injection vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-13786, has been discovered in WTCMS. This flaw allows a remote attacker to inject arbitrary code by manipulating the content argument in the fetch function of the /index.php file. The vulnerability affects versions up to commit 01a5f68a3dfc2fdddb44eed967bb2d4f60487665. Exploit code is publicly available, increasing the urgency for users to assess and address this risk.

Notably, the vendor has not responded to disclosure attempts. Given WTCMS’s continuous delivery model with rolling releases, specific affected versions and patch details are unavailable.

Technical Details

The vulnerability resides within the fetch function of the /index.php file in WTCMS. By manipulating the content argument, an attacker can inject and execute arbitrary code on the server. This can be achieved remotely, without requiring prior authentication. The specific mechanism involves passing malicious code within the content parameter, which is then processed and executed by the application. The proof of concept (PoC) available publicly demonstrates the ease with which this vulnerability can be exploited.

CVSS Analysis

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-13786 is 7.3, indicating a High severity vulnerability.

  • CVSS Score: 7.3
  • Vector String: (The vector string is not provided, but typically includes metrics for attack vector, attack complexity, privileges required, user interaction, scope, confidentiality impact, integrity impact, and availability impact)
  • This score reflects the ease of exploitation and the potential for significant impact on the affected system.

Possible Impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-13786 can lead to:

  • Remote Code Execution (RCE): An attacker can execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially gaining full control of the system.
  • Data Breach: Sensitive data stored on the server could be accessed and exfiltrated.
  • System Compromise: The entire WTCMS installation could be compromised, allowing the attacker to deface the website, install malware, or use the server for malicious purposes.
  • Denial of Service (DoS): The attacker could potentially crash the server, making the website unavailable to legitimate users.

Mitigation or Patch Steps

Unfortunately, due to the vendor’s lack of response and the rolling release model of WTCMS, a specific patch or updated version is not currently available. However, the following mitigation steps are recommended:

  • Input Validation: Implement strict input validation and sanitization on the content argument within the fetch function. This can help prevent malicious code from being injected.
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a WAF to filter out malicious requests and block attempts to exploit the vulnerability. Configure the WAF to detect and block code injection attempts.
  • Monitor System Activity: Closely monitor server logs for any suspicious activity or signs of exploitation. Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert administrators to potential attacks.
  • Restrict Access: Limit access to the /index.php file and the fetch function to only authorized users or processes.
  • Consider Alternatives: If possible, consider migrating to a more actively maintained CMS with a better security track record.

Important: Given the lack of vendor support, these mitigation steps may not be fully effective, and a complete solution may require significant code review and modification. Prioritize implementing these steps in a testing environment before applying them to a production system.

References

Cybersecurity specialist and founder of Gowri Shankar Infosec - a professional blog dedicated to sharing actionable insights on cybersecurity, data protection, server administration, and compliance frameworks including SOC 2, PCI DSS, and GDPR.

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