Mara CMS 7.5 has a security vulnerability in which there is an arbitrary file upload issue. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to have a valid authenticated session as an admin or manager. The attacker can then make a request to 'codebase/dir.php?type=filenew' to upload PHP code to 'codebase/handler.php'.

Disclaimer

The content provided here is for educational purposes only. It is designed to help security enthusiasts and professionals understand vulnerabilities and improve application security. Please use the information responsibly and never for illegal activities or unauthorized testing. Always ensure you have proper authorization before performing any security testing on systems, applications, or networks.

We are not responsible for any misuse of the materials shared here or any consequences that arise from their use. All testing should be done in a controlled environment, such as the labs or Docker images we provide, or with explicit permission from system owners. By using OpenExploit resources, you agree to follow applicable laws and ethical guidelines.

About Mara CMS

Mara CMS is a lightweight and user-friendly content management system designed to streamline the process of managing websites and online content. It is built with simplicity in mind, making it easy for users with limited technical knowledge to create, edit, and manage their websites. Mara CMS provides a wide range of features including customizable templates, SEO tools, and multilingual support, all within a secure and flexible platform. Whether you are a small business owner, blogger, or web developer, Mara CMS offers a comprehensive solution to meet your website needs.

Mitigation

1. Update to the latest version of Mara CMS, as the developers may have released a patch to fix the arbitrary file upload vulnerability.
2. Restrict file upload permissions for admin and manager roles to only trusted users and regularly review and update user access controls.
3. Implement input validation and file type restrictions on the server-side to ensure only allowed file types can be uploaded.
4. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious file upload attempts.
5. Regularly monitor and audit file uploads and system logs for any suspicious activity.
6. Implement secure coding practices and perform regular security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in the codebase.

Exploit Scenario

An attacker who has gained administrative or managerial access to a Mara CMS 7.5 system can exploit an arbitrary file upload vulnerability. By sending a specially crafted request to the "codebase/dir.php" endpoint with a parameter of "type=filenew", the attacker can upload malicious PHP code. This code is then executed on the server through the "codebase/handler.php" endpoint, potentially allowing the attacker to perform unauthorized actions or access sensitive information on the server.

DockerHub Link

To try out a demo environment for CVE-2020-25042, you can visit our DockerHub repository here

Video Tutorial

Video tutorials for exploiting CVE-2020-25042 is available here

About OpenExploit

OpenExploit is a learning platform dedicated to exploring and understanding vulnerabilities in open-source and widely used applications. We focus on manual exploitation techniques, enabling security enthusiasts to learn and build their skills without over-reliance on automation scripts.