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Threat Model Analysis for octobercms/october

Threat: Outdated October CMS Core Exploitation

  • Description: An attacker exploits a known vulnerability in an outdated version of October CMS. The vulnerability might be publicly disclosed or discovered through automated scanning. This directly involves a flaw within October CMS itself.
    • Impact: Varies depending on the vulnerability, but could range from information disclosure to remote code execution and complete system compromise.
    • Affected Component: The specific vulnerable component within the October CMS core (e.g., a specific controller, model, or library – the exact component depends on the specific CVE).
    • Risk Severity: Critical
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Keep October CMS updated to the latest stable version. This is the most important mitigation.
      • Subscribe to October CMS security advisories.
      • Automate the update process (with appropriate testing and rollback capabilities).

Threat: Backend Brute-Force Attack

  • Description: An attacker attempts to guess the username and password for an October CMS backend account (/backend) using automated tools. This targets the core authentication mechanism of October CMS.
    • Impact: Unauthorized access to the October CMS backend, allowing the attacker to modify content, install malicious plugins, exfiltrate data, and potentially gain full control of the server.
    • Affected Component: October CMS Backend Authentication (Backend\Controllers\Auth, authentication logic).
    • Risk Severity: High
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Use strong, unique passwords for all backend users.
      • Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for backend access (via a plugin or custom implementation).
      • Implement account lockout policies (e.g., lock the account after a certain number of failed login attempts).
      • Monitor backend login logs for suspicious activity.
      • Consider restricting backend access to specific IP addresses or using a VPN.

Threat: Misconfigured File Permissions (Impacting Core Functionality)

  • Description: Files and directories essential to October CMS's core operation have overly permissive permissions. This isn't just about any file, but specifically those that, if compromised, would impact the core CMS functionality (e.g., configuration files in config/, core system files).
    • Impact: Information disclosure (e.g., configuration files containing database credentials), potential for code modification or execution by the web server user, leading to privilege escalation and compromise of the core CMS.
    • Affected Component: The core October CMS file system, specifically critical configuration and system files.
    • Risk Severity: High
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Follow October CMS documentation precisely for recommended file and directory permissions.
      • Regularly audit file permissions using automated tools, focusing on core system directories.
      • Ensure that sensitive files (e.g., config/*.php, .env) are not readable by the web server user.
      • Use the principle of least privilege.

Threat: Unrestricted File Uploads (Media Manager - Abusing Core Functionality)

  • Description: The October CMS Media Manager, a core component, is misconfigured to allow uploads of arbitrary file types, including executable files. An attacker uploads a malicious file and then accesses it directly, exploiting the core file handling mechanism. This is distinct from a vulnerable plugin that handles uploads; this is about the built-in Media Manager.
    • Impact: Remote code execution, complete server compromise.
    • Affected Component: October CMS Media Manager (Cms\Classes\MediaLibrary, file upload handling – specifically the core implementation).
    • Risk Severity: Critical
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Strictly configure the Media Manager (within the October CMS settings) to allow only necessary file types (e.g., images, documents).
      • Validate file contents, not just extensions (e.g., using MIME type detection and file signature analysis). This is crucial for preventing bypasses.
      • Store uploaded files outside the web root or in a directory that is protected from direct execution (configure this within October CMS).
      • Use a virus scanner to scan uploaded files (this is a general security practice, but helps mitigate even if the core upload handling is flawed).
      • Rename uploaded files to prevent direct access based on predictable filenames (a feature often available in media managers).