CVE-2024-32641: Masa CMS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2024-32641 Overview

CVE-2024-32641 is a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting Masa CMS, an open source Enterprise Content Management platform. The vulnerability exists in the addParam function, which accepts user input via the criteria parameter. This input is subsequently evaluated by setDynamicContent, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code via the m tag without any prior authentication.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote code execution allows attackers to completely compromise affected Masa CMS installations, potentially leading to full server takeover, data theft, and lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• Masa CMS versions prior to 7.2.8
• Masa CMS versions prior to 7.3.13
• Masa CMS versions prior to 7.4.6

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-12-03 - CVE-2024-32641 published to NVD
• 2025-12-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-32641

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code, also known as Code Injection). The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target server by exploiting improper input handling in the content management system's dynamic content generation functionality.

The attack can be launched remotely over the network without requiring any user interaction or prior authentication. Successful exploitation grants the attacker complete control over the affected system, enabling them to read sensitive data, modify content, install backdoors, or pivot to other systems on the network.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation and sanitization of user-supplied input in the addParam function. When user input is passed through the criteria parameter, it flows into the setDynamicContent function where it is evaluated without proper security controls. This allows arbitrary code embedded in the m tag to be executed within the application context.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-32641 is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft a malicious request containing code injection payloads in the criteria parameter. When the vulnerable addParam function processes this input and passes it to setDynamicContent, the injected code in the m tag is evaluated and executed on the server.

The vulnerability allows attackers to achieve full remote code execution, which can lead to complete system compromise, including access to sensitive data, modification of website content, establishment of persistent backdoors, and use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-32641

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing suspicious payloads in the criteria parameter targeting Masa CMS endpoints
• Web server logs showing requests with encoded or obfuscated code in m tag parameters
• Unexpected process executions spawned from ColdFusion or CFML application server processes
• New or modified files in web-accessible directories or system locations indicative of webshell deployment

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block code injection patterns in request parameters
• Monitor application logs for requests to Masa CMS endpoints containing suspicious criteria parameter values
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on web server directories to detect unauthorized file modifications
• Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous process behavior from web application servers

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all HTTP requests to Masa CMS applications, particularly those involving dynamic content generation
• Configure SIEM alerts for patterns consistent with code injection attempts targeting CMS platforms
• Monitor network traffic for unusual outbound connections from web servers that could indicate successful exploitation and command-and-control communication

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-32641

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Masa CMS immediately to patched versions: 7.2.8, 7.3.13, or 7.4.6 depending on your current version branch
• If immediate patching is not possible, consider temporarily taking the affected Masa CMS instance offline until the update can be applied
• Review web server logs for signs of exploitation attempts and investigate any suspicious activity
• Conduct a security assessment of systems that may have been exposed to determine if compromise has occurred

Patch Information

Masa CMS has released security patches addressing this vulnerability. The fix is available in versions 7.2.8, 7.3.13, and 7.4.6. Organizations should upgrade to the appropriate patched version based on their current deployment. The security commit and the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-cj9g-v5mq-qrjm provide additional technical details about the fix.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules configured to block code injection patterns in the criteria parameter and m tag
• Restrict network access to Masa CMS administrative and content management interfaces to trusted IP addresses only
• Implement network segmentation to isolate web servers running Masa CMS from critical internal systems
• Consider disabling or restricting dynamic content generation features if they are not essential to operations until patching is completed

# Example WAF rule concept for blocking suspicious criteria parameter
# Note: Implement in your specific WAF solution
# Block requests containing potential code injection in criteria parameter
SecRule ARGS:criteria "@rx (\$|#|evaluate|execute|runtime)" \
    "id:100001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Potential Masa CMS RCE attempt blocked'"