CVE-2024-58279 affects appRain CMF version 4.0.5 and involves an unrestricted file upload vulnerability categorized under CWE-434. The flaw exists in the filemanager upload endpoint, which fails to properly validate or restrict the types of files that authenticated administrative users can upload. Specifically, the system allows uploading of PHP files, which can be crafted maliciously to function as web shells. Once uploaded to the site's uploads directory, these PHP files can be executed remotely, granting attackers the ability to run arbitrary commands on the web server. This effectively results in remote code execution (RCE) with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability requires authenticated access with administrative privileges but does not require any user interaction beyond that. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and high privileges required (PR:H). The impact metrics for confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high, indicating that exploitation can lead to full compromise of the affected system. No patches or mitigations are currently linked, and no known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date. This vulnerability is critical for organizations relying on appRain CMF 4.0.5, as it can lead to complete system takeover if exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who have obtained admin credentials.

For European organizations using appRain CMF 4.0.5, this vulnerability poses a severe risk of system compromise. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, modification or destruction of data, and disruption of service availability. The ability to execute arbitrary code on the server can facilitate lateral movement within the network, data exfiltration, and deployment of ransomware or other malware. Given the administrative privileges required, the threat is particularly relevant to insider threats or attackers who have gained admin credentials through phishing or credential stuffing. The impact is heightened for organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR, where breaches can lead to significant legal and financial penalties. Additionally, compromised web servers can be used as pivot points for attacks against other critical infrastructure, increasing the overall risk landscape for European enterprises.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of appRain CMF and identify any instances running version 4.0.5. Since no official patches are currently available, temporary mitigations include restricting administrative access to trusted personnel only and enforcing strong multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Implement network segmentation to isolate web servers running appRain CMF from sensitive internal systems. Monitor file upload directories for suspicious PHP files and remove any unauthorized uploads promptly. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block attempts to upload or execute malicious scripts. Regularly review and harden file upload mechanisms by implementing strict file type validation and sanitization. Conduct security awareness training to reduce the risk of credential theft. Finally, maintain continuous monitoring and logging to detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts.