📄 Description (English)
TextPattern CMS 4.8.7 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands by uploading malicious PHP files through the file upload functionality. Attackers can upload a PHP shell via the Files section in the content area and execute commands by accessing the uploaded file at /textpattern/files/ with GET parameters passed to the system function.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
TextPattern CMS 4.8.7 contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2021-47943) allowing authenticated attackers to upload malicious PHP files and execute arbitrary system commands. The vulnerability exploits insufficient file upload validation in the Files section, enabling attackers to bypass security controls and gain shell access. With a CVSS score of 8.8, this poses significant risk to organizations using TextPattern for content management, particularly those with weak access controls or exposed administrative interfaces.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 13, 2026 13:49
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations using TextPattern CMS are at moderate-to-high risk, particularly government agencies, educational institutions, and media organizations managing public-facing content portals. The vulnerability is especially critical for entities under NCA and SAMA oversight that host sensitive information. Risk is elevated in organizations with: (1) weak administrative access controls, (2) exposed CMS interfaces to untrusted networks, (3) insufficient file upload restrictions, (4) lack of Web Application Firewalls (WAF). Sectors most affected: Government digital services, Higher Education (MOE), Healthcare portals, and Media/Publishing organizations.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government (Digital Services, NCA-regulated entities)
Higher Education (MOE institutions)
Healthcare (Ministry of Health portals)
Media and Publishing
Telecommunications (content management systems)
Financial Services (if using TextPattern for public portals)
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application (TextPattern CMS vulnerability)
T1434 - Exploit Remote Services (authenticated RCE)
T1505.003 - Server Software Component (CMS file upload functionality)
T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter (PHP shell execution)
T1571 - Non-Standard Port (accessing uploaded PHP files)
T1133 - External Remote Services (authenticated attacker access)
T1547.009 - Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts (PHP webshell persistence)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all TextPattern CMS 4.8.7 instances in your environment and document their locations
2. Restrict administrative access to CMS interfaces using IP whitelisting and VPN requirements
3. Disable file upload functionality in the Files section if not actively used
4. Implement strict file type validation: whitelist only safe extensions (.txt, .pdf, .doc) and reject .php, .phtml, .php3, .php4, .php5, .phar extensions
5. Configure web server to prevent PHP execution in upload directories via .htaccess or nginx configuration
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade TextPattern CMS to version 4.8.8 or later when available
2. Monitor official TextPattern security advisories at textpattern.com/security
3. If upgrade unavailable, apply compensating controls immediately
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block PHP file uploads and access to /textpattern/files/ with suspicious parameters
2. Implement file integrity monitoring on upload directories
3. Configure file permissions: chmod 644 on uploaded files, remove execute permissions
4. Add .htaccess rule: <FilesMatch "\.php$"> Deny from all </FilesMatch> in upload directory
5. Enable detailed logging of all file upload attempts and access to /textpattern/files/
6. Implement multi-factor authentication for CMS administrative accounts
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for POST requests to /textpattern/index.php with file upload parameters containing .php extensions
2. Alert on GET requests to /textpattern/files/ containing system() or exec() function calls in parameters
3. Track creation of new files in /textpattern/files/ directory with executable permissions
4. Monitor for unusual process execution originating from web server user context
5. Log and alert on failed file upload attempts with suspicious MIME types
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع نسخ TextPattern CMS 4.8.7 في بيئتك وتوثيق مواقعها
2. تقييد الوصول الإداري لواجهات CMS باستخدام قائمة بيضاء IP ومتطلبات VPN
3. تعطيل وظيفة تحميل الملفات في قسم الملفات إذا لم تكن قيد الاستخدام النشط
4. تطبيق التحقق الصارم من نوع الملف: السماح فقط بالامتدادات الآمنة (.txt, .pdf, .doc) ورفض امتدادات .php و .phtml و .php3 و .php4 و .php5 و .phar
5. تكوين خادم الويب لمنع تنفيذ PHP في مجلدات التحميل عبر .htaccess أو إعدادات nginx
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية TextPattern CMS إلى الإصدار 4.8.8 أو أحدث عند توفره
2. مراقبة تنبيهات أمان TextPattern الرسمية على textpattern.com/security
3. إذا لم يكن الترقية متاحة، طبق عناصر التحكم البديلة على الفور
عناصر التحكم البديلة:
1. نشر قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحظر تحميل ملفات PHP والوصول إلى /textpattern/files/ بمعاملات مريبة
2. تطبيق مراقبة سلامة الملفات على مجلدات التحميل
3. تكوين أذونات الملفات: chmod 644 على الملفات المحملة، إزالة أذونات التنفيذ
4. إضافة قاعدة .htaccess: <FilesMatch "\.php$"> Deny from all </FilesMatch> في مجلد التحميل
5. تفعيل تسجيل مفصل لجميع محاولات تحميل الملفات والوصول إلى /textpattern/files/
6. تطبيق المصادقة متعددة العوامل لحسابات CMS الإدارية
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة طلبات POST إلى /textpattern/index.php بمعاملات تحميل ملفات تحتوي على امتدادات .php
2. تنبيه على طلبات GET إلى /textpattern/files/ تحتوي على استدعاءات دوال system() أو exec() في المعاملات
3. تتبع إنشاء ملفات جديدة في مجلد /textpattern/files/ بأذونات قابلة للتنفيذ
4. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات غير العادية من سياق مستخدم خادم الويب
5. تسجيل والتنبيه على محاولات تحميل الملفات الفاشلة بأنواع MIME مريبة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.12.4.1 - Event logging (file upload and access attempts)
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy (input validation, file upload restrictions)
A.14.2.5 - Secure development environment (preventing code execution in upload directories)
A.6.1.1 - Information security roles and responsibilities (access control to CMS)
A.9.2.1 - User registration and access rights management (administrative access controls)
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.AM-2 - Asset management (inventory of TextPattern instances)
PR.AC-1 - Access control policy (restrict CMS administrative access)
PR.AC-3 - Access enforcement (file upload restrictions and validation)
PR.AC-6 - Least privilege (disable unnecessary file upload functionality)
DE.CM-1 - Detection processes (monitor file uploads and access patterns)
DE.AE-1 - Anomalies and events (detect suspicious file uploads and execution)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1.1 - Policies for information security (file upload security policy)
A.8.1.1 - User endpoint devices (prevent malicious file execution)
A.8.3.1 - Password management (MFA for CMS administrative accounts)
A.12.4.1 - Event logging and monitoring (file upload and access logging)
A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management (input validation controls)
A.14.2.5 - Secure development environment (prevent code execution in uploads)
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
6.5.1 - Injection flaws (file upload validation to prevent PHP injection)
6.5.8 - Improper access control (restrict file upload functionality)
10.2 - Implement automated audit trails (log all file upload attempts)
10.3 - Protect audit trail history (secure logging of CMS activities)