CVE-2021-32648: 
PHP vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2021-32648 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting OctoberCMS, a content management system based on the Laravel PHP Framework. The vulnerability was discovered in August 2021 and affects versions 1.0.471 and 1.1.1-1.1.4 of the october/system package. The vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts through a specially crafted password reset request (GitHub Advisory).

The vulnerability stems from an improper authentication mechanism in the password reset functionality. When processing password reset requests, the system performs an unsafe comparison between the reset code and user input, allowing attackers to bypass the verification process through type confusion. The vulnerability received a CVSS v3 Base Score of 9.1 Critical, indicating its severe impact (AttackerKB).

If successfully exploited, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, including administrator accounts, by bypassing the password reset verification mechanism. The only prerequisite for exploitation is knowledge of the target username and access to the password reset form (GitHub Advisory).

The vulnerability has been patched in OctoberCMS Build 472 and version 1.1.5. For users unable to upgrade, manual application of patches from commits octobercms/library@016a297 and octobercms/library@5bd1a28 can mitigate the vulnerability. Additional security recommendations include keeping server OS and system software up to date, using multi-factor authentication plugins, changing the default backend URL, and blocking public access to the backend area (GitHub Advisory).

The vulnerability gained significant attention after being added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, requiring federal agencies to patch it by February 1, 2022. The exploitation of this vulnerability in attacks against Ukrainian government websites further elevated its profile in the cybersecurity community (BleepingComputer).