CVE-2024-50620: CIPPlanner CIPAce RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-50620 Overview

CVE-2024-50620 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability (CWE-434) affecting CIPPlanner CIPAce versions prior to 9.17. The vulnerability exists in both the rich text editor and document management components, allowing authorized users to upload executable files that can potentially be executed on the server. This represents a significant security risk as it could enable remote code execution within affected environments.

Critical Impact

Authorized users can upload and potentially execute malicious files through the rich text editor and document management components, leading to remote code execution if storage directories have execute permissions.

Affected Products

• CIPPlanner CIPAce versions before 9.17
• Rich text editor component in CIPAce
• Document management component in CIPAce

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-11 - CVE-2024-50620 published to NVD
• 2026-02-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-50620

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from insufficient file type validation in CIPPlanner CIPAce's file upload mechanisms. The application fails to properly restrict the types of files that can be uploaded through two distinct components: the rich text editor's image insertion feature and the document management page's file upload functionality. When users attempt to insert images via the rich text editor, the application does not adequately verify that the uploaded content is actually an image file, allowing executable files to be uploaded instead. Similarly, the document management component lacks proper file type restrictions, permitting the upload of potentially dangerous file types.

The execution risk is contingent upon the storage configuration. If uploaded files are not stored in a shared directory or if the storage directory has execute permissions enabled, an attacker with authorized access could upload a malicious executable and trigger its execution, potentially compromising the server or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-50620 is the lack of proper file type validation and extension filtering in the upload handlers for both the rich text editor and document management components. The application fails to implement server-side validation of file MIME types and extensions, trusting client-side input without verification. Additionally, the vulnerability is exacerbated by potentially insecure storage configurations that may allow execution of uploaded files.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring the attacker to have authenticated access to the CIPAce application. The attack flow involves:

1. An authorized user authenticates to the CIPAce application
2. The attacker navigates to either the rich text editor (when inserting images) or the document management page
3. Instead of uploading a legitimate file, the attacker uploads an executable file (such as a web shell or malicious script)
4. If the storage directory is not a shared directory or has execute permissions, the attacker can then access and execute the uploaded file
5. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution with the privileges of the web application

The vulnerability requires low attack complexity and no user interaction beyond the initial malicious upload, making it relatively straightforward to exploit for authenticated attackers.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-50620

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual executable files (.exe, .php, .jsp, .aspx, .sh) present in upload directories typically used for images or documents
• Web server logs showing requests to execute files in upload directories
• Unexpected process execution originating from web application directories
• Modified file permissions on upload storage directories

Detection Strategies

• Implement file integrity monitoring on upload directories to detect unexpected file types
• Configure web application firewall (WAF) rules to inspect and block executable file uploads
• Enable detailed logging for file upload operations and monitor for suspicious file extensions
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for malicious process execution

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor upload directory contents for files with executable extensions that don't match expected document/image types
• Review web server access logs for POST requests to upload endpoints followed by GET requests to unusual file paths
• Implement alerts for any process execution originating from document storage locations
• Track file permission changes on directories associated with the CIPAce application

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-50620

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade CIPPlanner CIPAce to version 9.17 or later, which addresses this vulnerability
• Review and restrict execute permissions on all file upload storage directories
• Implement server-side file type validation using both extension checking and MIME type verification
• Configure storage directories to be served without execute permissions

Patch Information

CIPPlanner has released CIPAce version 9.17 which resolves this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to this version or later as soon as possible. For more information, refer to the CIP Planner CVE-2024-50620 Notice for official guidance on the resolution.

Workarounds

• Remove execute permissions from all upload storage directories using appropriate file system commands
• Implement a web application firewall (WAF) rule to block uploads of executable file types
• Store uploaded files in a location outside the web root or in a shared network location without execute permissions
• Configure the web server to prevent execution of scripts in upload directories

# Configuration example - Remove execute permissions from upload directory
chmod -R a-x /path/to/cipace/upload/directory/
# Ensure only read/write permissions for files
find /path/to/cipace/upload/directory/ -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
# Set directory permissions to prevent script execution
find /path/to/cipace/upload/directory/ -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;