CVE-2025-2304

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy: CVE-2025-2304 - Camaleon CMS Privilege Escalation

This document outlines the remediation and mitigation strategy for CVE-2025-2304, a privilege escalation vulnerability found in Camaleon CMS.

1. Vulnerability Description:

  • Vulnerability: Privilege Escalation via Mass Assignment
  • Affected Software: Camaleon CMS
  • Description: The updated_ajax method in the UsersController allows users to change their passwords. However, the use of the permit! method (likely within a Ruby on Rails context) bypasses parameter filtering, allowing attackers to modify attributes beyond their intended scope, potentially leading to privilege escalation. An attacker could modify other user’s attributes, including their roles, effectively granting themselves administrative privileges.

2. Severity:

  • CVSS Score: 9.4 (Critical) - Based on the provided information.
  • Severity Level: Critical
  • Impact: Successful exploitation allows an attacker to gain complete control over the Camaleon CMS instance, including access to sensitive data, modification of website content, and potential compromise of the underlying server.

3. Known Exploit:

  • The vulnerability report indicates the existence of an exploit, leveraging the permit! method to modify unauthorized user attributes. Specific details of the exploit are not provided but can likely be crafted given the vulnerability description.

4. Remediation Strategy:

  • Immediate Action:

    • Isolate the affected system: If possible, isolate the Camaleon CMS instance from the network to prevent further exploitation while remediation is underway.
    • Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Closely monitor Camaleon CMS logs for any unusual activity related to user profile updates, particularly changes to roles or other sensitive attributes. Look for POST requests to the updated_ajax endpoint with unexpected parameters.

  • Long-Term Solution:

    • Patch/Upgrade Camaleon CMS: The primary solution is to apply a patch or upgrade to a version of Camaleon CMS that addresses CVE-2025-2304. Check the Camaleon CMS website and security advisories for available patches or updates. This is the most effective way to eliminate the vulnerability.
    • Implement Proper Parameter Filtering: If a patch is not immediately available, modify the updated_ajax method in the UsersController to implement strict parameter filtering. Instead of using permit!, explicitly define which parameters are allowed to be updated. For example, only allow current_password and password (and password_confirmation, if applicable) to be updated. Use strong parameter whitelisting techniques.
    • Code Review: Conduct a thorough code review of the UsersController and any other relevant code to identify and rectify any other potential mass assignment vulnerabilities.

5. Mitigation Strategy (If patching is not immediately possible):

If a patch or update is not readily available, the following mitigation steps can reduce the risk of exploitation:

  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules: Configure a WAF to inspect incoming requests to the updated_ajax endpoint. Create rules to block requests containing unexpected parameters or unusual data patterns. Specifically, block attempts to modify attributes beyond the user’s own password. Example modsecurity/apache rules: SecRule REQUEST_URI “/users/updated_ajax” “chain,id:12345,phase:2,t:lowercase,pass,nolog” SecRule ARGS “!^(current_password|password|password_confirmation)$” “deny,status:403,msg:‘Potential Mass Assignment Attack’” Adjust the rule based on your specific WAF configuration and the expected parameters.
  • Rate Limiting: Implement rate limiting on the updated_ajax endpoint to slow down attackers attempting to brute-force credentials or exploit the vulnerability.
  • Least Privilege Principle: Review and enforce the principle of least privilege for all Camaleon CMS users. Ensure that users only have the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks. Restrict the number of administrative accounts.
  • Regular Security Audits: Perform regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
  • Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS): Configure an IDS/IPS to detect and block malicious activity targeting the Camaleon CMS instance.

6. Verification:

  • After applying the patch or implementing mitigation measures, thoroughly test the updated_ajax method to ensure that the vulnerability has been successfully addressed.
  • Verify that users can only modify their own password and that attempts to modify other attributes are blocked.
  • Review the logs to confirm that the implemented security controls are functioning as expected.

7. Communication:

  • Inform all relevant stakeholders (e.g., system administrators, security team, application owners) about the vulnerability and the remediation/mitigation plan.
  • Provide regular updates on the progress of the remediation effort.

8. Reporting:

  • Document all findings, remediation steps, and test results.
  • Submit a report to the appropriate stakeholders.

Disclaimer: This remediation/mitigation strategy is based on the information provided in the vulnerability report. It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment of the specific environment and tailor the strategy accordingly. Always consult with security experts for guidance on implementing security measures.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-03-14 13:15:41
  • Updated Date: 2025-03-14 13:15:41

More Details

CVE-2025-2304