CVE-2024-57099: Classcms Classcms RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-57099 Overview

CVE-2024-57099 is a critical code execution vulnerability affecting ClassCMS version 4.8. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit a flaw in the classview parameter of the model management feature to construct malicious payloads, enabling arbitrary code execution on the target server. Successful exploitation could result in complete server compromise, allowing attackers to execute commands, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent access.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on vulnerable ClassCMS servers, potentially leading to full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Affected Products

ClassCMS version 4.8

Discovery Timeline

2025-02-03 - CVE-2024-57099 published to NVD
2025-05-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-57099

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code - Code Injection). The flaw exists in the model management feature of ClassCMS, specifically within the handling of the classview parameter. Due to insufficient input validation and sanitization, user-supplied input can be interpreted and executed as code by the application.

The attack can be performed remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete server takeover.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation in the ClassCMS model management functionality. The classview parameter fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before processing, allowing specially crafted payloads to be injected and executed as code. This lack of input validation creates a direct path for code injection attacks.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable via network-based attacks targeting the model management feature of ClassCMS. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP request containing a specially constructed payload in the classview parameter. When the application processes this request, the injected code is executed on the server.

The attack flow typically involves:

Identifying a vulnerable ClassCMS v4.8 installation
Crafting a malicious request targeting the model management endpoint
Injecting executable code through the classview parameter
Achieving arbitrary code execution on the target server

Technical details regarding the specific exploitation method can be found in the GitHub Issue Discussion where this vulnerability was reported.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-57099

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual or malformed requests to the model management endpoints containing suspicious classview parameter values
Unexpected process spawning from the web server process (e.g., cmd.exe, /bin/bash, or other shells)
Web server logs showing requests with encoded or obfuscated payloads targeting the classview parameter
New or modified files in the ClassCMS installation directory that were not part of the original deployment

Detection Strategies

Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to inspect and block requests containing suspicious patterns in the classview parameter
Monitor web server access logs for requests to model management endpoints with unusual parameter values
Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous process execution chains originating from web server processes
Establish baseline behavior for ClassCMS and alert on deviations such as unexpected outbound connections or file system modifications

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable detailed logging for all requests to the ClassCMS model management feature
Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on code injection patterns in HTTP traffic
Monitor for unauthorized changes to ClassCMS configuration files and application directories
Set up alerts for any command execution or shell spawning from the web server process context

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-57099

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to the model management feature to trusted administrators only using network-level access controls
Implement web application firewall rules to filter requests containing suspicious payloads in the classview parameter
Monitor ClassCMS installations for signs of exploitation while awaiting an official patch
Consider temporarily disabling the model management feature if it is not essential to operations

Patch Information

As of the last update, users should refer to the official ClassCMS repository and the GitHub Issue Discussion for patch availability and updated versions. Organizations running ClassCMS v4.8 should upgrade to a patched version as soon as one becomes available.

Workarounds

Implement strict input validation at the application or reverse proxy level to sanitize the classview parameter
Use a web application firewall (WAF) to block requests containing code injection patterns
Restrict access to the ClassCMS administrative interface to trusted IP addresses only
Deploy network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a compromised web server

bash

# Example: Restrict access to ClassCMS admin using Apache .htaccess
<Directory "/var/www/classcms/admin">
    Require ip 10.0.0.0/8 192.168.1.0/24
    Require all denied
</Directory>