CVE-2025-70831: Lkw199711 Smanga RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-70831 Overview

A critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability has been identified in Smanga version 3.2.7, a manga management application. The vulnerability exists in the /php/path/rescan.php interface where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the mediaId parameter before using it in a system shell command. This allows an unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary operating system commands, leading to complete server compromise.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying server with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• Smanga version 3.2.7
• lkw199711 smanga (CPE: cpe:2.3:a:lkw199711:smanga:3.2.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE-2025-70831 published to NVD
• 2026-02-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-70831

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), commonly known as OS Command Injection. The vulnerable endpoint /php/path/rescan.php accepts the mediaId parameter from user requests and directly incorporates it into a shell command without proper input validation or sanitization.

The lack of authentication requirements on this endpoint significantly increases the exploitability, as any remote attacker with network access to the application can trigger the vulnerability without requiring credentials. The attack can be executed over the network with low complexity, requiring no user interaction.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the direct concatenation of user-controlled input into shell commands. The mediaId parameter is passed to a system shell function without proper sanitization, escaping, or validation. This allows attackers to break out of the intended command context by injecting shell metacharacters such as semicolons (;), pipes (|), or command substitution sequences.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote exploitation. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP request to the /php/path/rescan.php endpoint with a specially crafted mediaId parameter containing shell metacharacters and malicious commands. For example, an attacker could append commands using semicolons or use backticks for command substitution to execute arbitrary system commands on the underlying server.

The vulnerability mechanism involves the unsanitized mediaId parameter being passed directly to a shell execution function. When an attacker supplies input containing shell metacharacters, the server executes the injected commands with the privileges of the web server process. For detailed technical information, refer to the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-70831

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to /php/path/rescan.php containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &&, backticks, or $())
• Web server logs showing requests with encoded shell commands in the mediaId parameter
• Unexpected processes spawned by the web server process (e.g., www-data or apache spawning shells)
• Outbound network connections from the web server to unknown external hosts

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing OS command injection patterns in the mediaId parameter
• Monitor web server access logs for requests to /php/path/rescan.php with suspicious parameter values
• Deploy intrusion detection system (IDS) signatures for command injection patterns targeting PHP applications
• Enable process auditing to detect unexpected child processes spawned by the web server

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure SIEM alerts for patterns indicative of command injection attempts against Smanga installations
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect reverse shells or suspicious outbound connections from web servers
• Monitor file system integrity for unauthorized modifications to Smanga installation directories
• Set up alerts for unusual process execution chains involving the web server process

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-70831

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to Smanga installations to trusted networks only until a patch is available
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block requests with shell metacharacters in the mediaId parameter
• If possible, disable or restrict access to the /php/path/rescan.php endpoint
• Review server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no official vendor patch has been announced. Monitor the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion for updates on remediation guidance from the vendor. Consider upgrading to a patched version when available.

Workarounds

• Place Smanga behind a reverse proxy with strict input validation rules to filter malicious requests
• Implement authentication requirements for the vulnerable endpoint using web server access controls
• Apply network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a successful compromise
• Consider temporarily disabling the affected functionality until an official patch is released

The recommended mitigation involves implementing strict input validation at the web server or reverse proxy level. Configure your web server to reject requests containing shell metacharacters in the mediaId parameter. Additionally, ensure that your Smanga installation is not directly exposed to the internet and is only accessible from trusted networks.