PluckCMS 4.7.10 Vulnerability: Unrestricted File Upload Exposes Websites to RCE Risks

PluckCMS 4.7.10 Vulnerable to Unrestricted File Upload Leading to RCE

Security researchers have identified a critical vulnerability in PluckCMS 4.7.10 that allows attackers to exploit an unrestricted file upload flaw, potentially leading to remote code execution (RCE). The vulnerability, disclosed via Exploit-DB, poses a severe risk to websites running the affected content management system (CMS).

Technical Details

The vulnerability stems from insufficient file type validation in PluckCMS 4.7.10, enabling attackers to upload malicious files—such as PHP scripts—without restrictions. Once uploaded, these files can be executed on the server, granting threat actors full control over the compromised system. The flaw does not require authentication, amplifying its severity and potential for widespread exploitation.

Key technical aspects include:

• Affected Software: PluckCMS 4.7.10
• Vulnerability Type: Unrestricted File Upload (CWE-434)
• Exploit Vector: Remote, unauthenticated
• Impact: Remote Code Execution (RCE), full system compromise
• Exploit Availability: Publicly disclosed via Exploit-DB (ID: 52448)

Impact Analysis

The unrestricted file upload vulnerability in PluckCMS 4.7.10 exposes websites to multiple risks, including:

• Remote Code Execution (RCE): Attackers can execute arbitrary code on the server, leading to data theft, defacement, or further lateral movement.
• Unauthorized Access: Malicious actors can gain administrative privileges, compromising sensitive data or deploying additional payloads (e.g., ransomware, backdoors).
• Reputation Damage: Successful exploitation may result in website defacement, eroding user trust and brand credibility.

Given the public availability of the exploit, security teams are advised to treat this as a high-priority issue, particularly for organizations relying on PluckCMS for web content management.

Recommendations

1. Immediate Patching: Upgrade to the latest version of PluckCMS (if available) or apply vendor-provided patches to mitigate the vulnerability.
2. File Upload Restrictions: Implement strict file type validation and whitelisting for all upload functionalities to prevent malicious file execution.
3. Network Segmentation: Isolate PluckCMS instances from critical internal systems to limit the blast radius of potential attacks.
4. Monitoring and Detection: Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for unusual file uploads or execution attempts.
5. Incident Response Planning: Prepare for potential breaches by reviewing and updating incident response protocols, including containment and recovery procedures.

Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability due to its low attack complexity and high impact, particularly in environments where PluckCMS is deployed without additional security controls.