External risk intelligence

DedeCMS 5.7.109 Remote Code Execution via Crafted POST Request

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2023-34842

DedeCMS is a content management system designed to be deployed as a public-facing web application. The vulnerability is exploitable via a web request to a script within the application, making it commonly reachable from the internet in typical web server deployments.

Code Injection

Dedecms

5.7.109 and earlier

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in DedeCMS, a content management system. This issue could allow external attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through a specially crafted web request, potentially impacting the integrity and availability of associated digital assets. The main concern is confirming relevance and exposure for this technology.

Attackers can run any code remotely.
Affects public-facing web applications.
Confirm relevance and exposure.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can reach the vulnerable DedeCMS component through a network request to the `/dede/tpl.php` endpoint. This allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the server by sending a specially crafted POST request. Successful exploitation could lead to full compromise of the affected system.

No authentication is required.
A crafted POST request triggers the vulnerability.
Risk of arbitrary code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A remote code execution vulnerability in DedeCMS could allow an unauthenticated attacker to run arbitrary code by sending a specially crafted POST request to the `/dede/tpl.php` script. This could affect system integrity and potentially lead to unauthorized access or control of the affected DedeCMS installation.

Arbitrary code execution on the server.
Via a crafted POST request.
Compromise of the DedeCMS installation.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This critical remote code execution vulnerability in DedeCMS through 5.7.109 requires immediate attention. Given the web-facing nature of DedeCMS, the first step is to identify all instances of this software, determine their reachability and business criticality, and then engage the appropriate owners for remediation planning.

Application owners should manage the issue.
Verify external reachability and asset criticality.
Plan for remediation or risk reduction.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is DedeCMS?

DedeCMS is a popular content management system (CMS) widely used for building and maintaining websites. It provides a framework for organizing and publishing digital content. Because it is designed to manage web traffic and user interactions, it typically functions as a public-facing application residing on a web server.

How does CVE-2023-34842 work?

This vulnerability falls under the weakness class of CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code. In plain terms, it means the application fails to properly filter or sanitize data provided by a user. Because of this, the system inadvertently treats incoming information as executable commands, allowing an attacker to run arbitrary code on the underlying server.

What triggers this vulnerability?

The issue is triggered when an attacker sends a specifically formatted POST request to the '/dede/tpl.php' file on a DedeCMS server. It is important to note that the vulnerability is specifically tied to this interaction; standard browsing or requests to other parts of the website that do not involve this specific script do not trigger the flaw.

Is my DedeCMS installation at risk?

Halo Surface Signal indicates that because DedeCMS is almost always deployed as a public-facing web application, this vulnerability is considered reachable from the internet. If your installation is connected to the web, you should assume the component is accessible to external parties, regardless of its specific network placement.

What steps should I take if I use DedeCMS?

Begin by auditing your infrastructure to locate all instances of DedeCMS. Once identified, confirm which versions are running—specifically checking if they are at or below 5.7.109. After identifying active instances, prioritize them based on their importance to your business and prepare for updates or remediation tasks with the appropriate technical owners.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.