CVE-2024-43011 is a directory traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-22, found in the admin/del.php script of ZZCMS 2023 and earlier versions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user input that specifies file paths for deletion. An attacker with authenticated high-level privileges can manipulate the file path parameter to traverse directories and delete arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This can lead to the removal of critical files, such as configuration files, logs, or application components, potentially causing denial of service or disruption of normal operations. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality directly but impacts integrity by allowing unauthorized file deletions. The attack vector is network-based (remote), requires low attack complexity, and no user interaction, but does require privileged authentication. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.9, reflecting medium severity due to the need for authenticated access and limited impact on availability and confidentiality. Mitigation involves applying patches when available, or implementing strict input validation and sanitization to prevent directory traversal sequences in file path parameters.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-43011 is the unauthorized deletion of arbitrary files on affected servers running ZZCMS 2023 or earlier. This can disrupt normal operations by removing critical system or application files, potentially leading to service outages or degraded functionality. Although the vulnerability does not directly expose sensitive data, the loss of integrity and availability of files can have cascading effects, such as corrupted configurations, loss of logs needed for forensic analysis, or downtime requiring recovery efforts. Organizations relying on ZZCMS for content management may face operational disruptions and increased recovery costs. Since exploitation requires authenticated high-privilege access, the threat is more significant in environments with weak access controls or compromised administrator credentials. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate potential future exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-43011, organizations should: 1) Apply official patches or updates from ZZCMS vendors as soon as they become available. 2) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all file path parameters, ensuring directory traversal sequences (e.g., '../') are detected and blocked. 3) Enforce the principle of least privilege by restricting administrative access only to trusted users and using strong authentication mechanisms. 4) Monitor server logs for suspicious deletion requests or unusual file system activity. 5) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block directory traversal attempts. 6) Regularly back up critical files and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of file deletion. 7) Conduct security audits and penetration testing focusing on input validation weaknesses in administrative interfaces. These steps collectively reduce the risk of exploitation and limit potential damage.