📄 Description (English)
e107 CMS 2.3.0 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows authenticated users with theme installation permissions to execute arbitrary commands by uploading malicious theme files. Attackers can upload a crafted theme package through the theme.php endpoint that deploys a web shell to the e107_themes directory, then execute system commands via the payload.php script.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2021-47937 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in e107 CMS 2.3.0 affecting authenticated users with theme installation permissions. Attackers can upload malicious theme files through the theme.php endpoint to deploy web shells and execute arbitrary system commands. With a CVSS score of 8.8 and no available patch, this poses significant risk to organizations running vulnerable e107 instances, particularly those with inadequate access controls.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 13, 2026 13:48
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations using e107 CMS for content management, including government websites, educational institutions, and small-to-medium enterprises. High-risk sectors include: Government (NCA-regulated digital services), Education (universities and schools), Healthcare (hospital information systems), and Telecommunications (customer portals). The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is shared among multiple users or where privilege separation is weak, common in Saudi organizations with limited cybersecurity maturity.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government
Education
Healthcare
Telecommunications
Media and Publishing
Small and Medium Enterprises
Non-Governmental Organizations
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application (theme.php endpoint exploitation)
T1199 - Trusted Relationship (authenticated user exploitation)
T1105 - Ingress Tool Transfer (malicious theme file upload)
T1053 - Scheduled Task/Job (web shell persistence)
T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter (arbitrary command execution via payload.php)
T1070 - Indicator Removal (potential log tampering via web shell)
T1505 - Server Software Component (theme installation for persistence)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Audit all e107 CMS 2.3.0 installations in your environment and document theme installation permissions
2. Restrict theme installation permissions to only trusted administrators; disable for standard users
3. Review theme.php access logs for suspicious uploads or failed authentication attempts
4. Scan e107_themes directory for unexpected .php files or payload.php scripts
Compensating Controls (until patch available):
5. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block POST requests to theme.php from non-administrative IPs
6. Disable theme upload functionality entirely if not actively used
7. Apply file upload restrictions: whitelist only .zip files, validate MIME types server-side
8. Implement strict file permissions: set e107_themes directory to read-only for web server process
9. Monitor for execution of PHP files in e107_themes directory using SIEM/EDR
Detection Rules:
10. Alert on any POST requests to /theme.php with file upload parameters
11. Monitor for creation of .php files in e107_themes directory
12. Track execution of payload.php or suspicious PHP files in theme directories
13. Log all theme installation activities with user attribution
Long-term:
14. Migrate to actively maintained CMS platforms with security update support
15. Implement code review process for any custom theme modifications
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تدقيق جميع تثبيتات e107 CMS 2.3.0 في بيئتك وتوثيق صلاحيات تثبيت المواضيع
2. تقييد صلاحيات تثبيت المواضيع للمسؤولين الموثوقين فقط؛ تعطيل للمستخدمين العاديين
3. مراجعة سجلات الوصول إلى theme.php للتحميلات المريبة أو محاولات المصادقة الفاشلة
4. مسح دليل e107_themes بحثاً عن ملفات .php غير متوقعة أو نصوص payload.php
الضوابط البديلة (حتى توفر التصحيح):
5. تطبيق قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحظر طلبات POST إلى theme.php من عناوين IP غير إدارية
6. تعطيل وظيفة تحميل المواضيع بالكامل إذا لم تكن قيد الاستخدام النشط
7. تطبيق قيود تحميل الملفات: قائمة بيضاء لملفات .zip فقط، التحقق من أنواع MIME على جانب الخادم
8. تطبيق صلاحيات ملفات صارمة: تعيين دليل e107_themes للقراءة فقط لعملية خادم الويب
9. مراقبة تنفيذ ملفات PHP في دليل e107_themes باستخدام SIEM/EDR
قواعد الكشف:
10. تنبيه على أي طلبات POST إلى /theme.php مع معاملات تحميل الملفات
11. مراقبة إنشاء ملفات .php في دليل e107_themes
12. تتبع تنفيذ payload.php أو ملفات PHP المريبة في أدلة المواضيع
13. تسجيل جميع أنشطة تثبيت المواضيع مع نسبة المستخدم
المدى الطويل:
14. الهجرة إلى منصات CMS يتم صيانتها بنشاط مع دعم تحديثات الأمان
15. تطبيق عملية مراجعة الأكواد لأي تعديلات مواضيع مخصصة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Access Control Policies (theme installation permissions)
ECC 2024 A.5.2.1 - User Registration and Access Management (restrict administrative functions)
ECC 2024 A.6.1.1 - Information Security Measures (file upload validation)
ECC 2024 A.6.2.1 - System Hardening (disable unnecessary functionality)
ECC 2024 A.7.1.1 - Event Logging (monitor theme uploads and PHP execution)
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-2 - Asset Management (inventory e107 installations)
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control (restrict theme installation permissions)
SAMA CSF PR.DS-1 - Data Security (file upload validation and restrictions)
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and Analysis (monitor suspicious uploads)
SAMA CSF RS.MI-2 - Incident Response (contain compromised systems)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.3 - Segregation of Duties (separate theme admin from regular users)
ISO 27001:2022 A.6.1.1 - Information Security Policies (file upload security)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1.1 - User Endpoint Devices (restrict file upload capabilities)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3.1 - Access Control (authentication and authorization for theme.php)
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.4.1 - Event Logging (audit theme installation activities)
🔗 References & Sources 4