📄 Description (English)
Emlog is an open source website building system. emlog v2.6.1 and earlier exposes a REST API endpoint (/index.php?rest-api=upload) for media file uploads. The endpoint fails to implement proper validation of file types, extensions, and content, allowing authenticated attackers (with a valid API key or admin session cookie) to upload arbitrary files (including malicious PHP scripts) to the server. An attacker can obtain the API key either by gaining administrator access to enable the REST API setting, or via information disclosure vulnerabilities in the application. Once uploaded, the malicious PHP file can be executed to gain remote code execution (RCE) on the target server, leading to full server compromise.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-22799 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Emlog v2.6.1 and earlier affecting the REST API upload endpoint. Authenticated attackers can bypass file type validation to upload malicious PHP scripts, achieving full server compromise. With exploit code publicly available and widespread use in Saudi web hosting environments, immediate patching is essential for all affected organizations.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 22, 2026 16:38
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations operating Emlog-based websites, particularly: (1) Government agencies and municipalities using Emlog for public-facing portals under NCA oversight; (2) Small-to-medium enterprises and startups in the digital transformation sector; (3) Educational institutions and universities hosting content management systems; (4) Media and publishing companies using Emlog for news platforms. The authenticated nature of the attack requires either compromised admin credentials or prior API key disclosure, but the ease of exploitation and availability of public exploits elevates risk across all sectors. Organizations under SAMA or NCA regulatory frameworks face compliance violations if breached.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government and Public Administration
Education and Universities
Media and Publishing
Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Digital Transformation Initiatives
Telecommunications (if using Emlog for customer portals)
Healthcare (if using Emlog for patient information portals)
Retail and E-commerce
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application (REST API endpoint exploitation)
T1199 - Trusted Relationship (compromised admin credentials or API keys)
T1434 - Internal Spearphishing (if API key obtained via social engineering)
T1566 - Phishing (credential theft to obtain API access)
T1608.003 - Stage Capabilities: Upload Malware (uploading PHP shells)
T1505.003 - Server Software Component: Web Shell (PHP webshell execution)
T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript/PHP (RCE via PHP)
T1078.001 - Valid Accounts: Default Accounts (compromised admin accounts)
T1133 - External Remote Services (API access from external attackers)
T1040 - Network Sniffing (API key interception if transmitted insecurely)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.5
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all Emlog installations in your environment (v2.6.1 and earlier) using asset discovery tools
2. Disable the REST API upload endpoint (/index.php?rest-api=upload) immediately if not required for operations
3. Restrict API access to whitelisted IP addresses only via firewall/WAF rules
4. Audit all uploaded files in the past 90 days for suspicious PHP or executable files
5. Review API key logs and admin session activity for unauthorized access
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade Emlog to v2.6.2 or later immediately (patch available)
2. Apply vendor security updates within 24-48 hours for critical systems
3. Test patches in staging environment before production deployment
4. Verify file upload validation is functioning post-patch
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if patching delayed):
1. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block .php file uploads to /index.php?rest-api=upload
2. Configure web server to prevent PHP execution in upload directories (disable_functions in php.ini)
3. Enforce strict file type validation at application level using MIME type checking
4. Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on upload directories
5. Require multi-factor authentication for API key generation and admin access
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for POST requests to /index.php?rest-api=upload with .php, .phtml, .php3, .php4, .php5, .phar extensions
2. Alert on file uploads larger than expected media file sizes
3. Track execution of recently uploaded PHP files in web server logs
4. Monitor for suspicious process execution from web server user context
5. Log all API key usage and admin session creation events
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع تثبيتات Emlog في بيئتك (v2.6.1 والإصدارات الأقدم) باستخدام أدوات اكتشاف الأصول
2. تعطيل نقطة نهاية تحميل REST API (/index.php?rest-api=upload) فوراً إذا لم تكن مطلوبة للعمليات
3. تقييد وصول API إلى عناوين IP المدرجة في القائمة البيضاء فقط عبر قواعد جدار الحماية/WAF
4. تدقيق جميع الملفات المحملة في آخر 90 يوماً بحثاً عن ملفات PHP أو ملفات قابلة للتنفيذ المريبة
5. مراجعة سجلات مفاتيح API ونشاط جلسة المسؤول للوصول غير المصرح به
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية Emlog إلى v2.6.2 أو أحدث فوراً (التصحيح متاح)
2. تطبيق تحديثات أمان البائع خلال 24-48 ساعة للأنظمة الحرجة
3. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئة التجميع قبل نشر الإنتاج
4. التحقق من أن التحقق من صحة تحميل الملفات يعمل بعد التصحيح
الضوابط البديلة (إذا تأخر التصحيح):
1. تنفيذ قواعد جدار تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحظر تحميلات ملفات .php إلى /index.php?rest-api=upload
2. تكوين خادم الويب لمنع تنفيذ PHP في دلائل التحميل (disable_functions في php.ini)
3. فرض التحقق الصارم من نوع الملف على مستوى التطبيق باستخدام فحص نوع MIME
4. تنفيذ مراقبة سلامة الملفات (FIM) على دلائل التحميل
5. طلب المصادقة متعددة العوامل لإنشاء مفتاح API والوصول إلى المسؤول
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة طلبات POST إلى /index.php?rest-api=upload بامتدادات .php و .phtml و .php3 و .php4 و .php5 و .phar
2. تنبيه عند تحميل ملفات أكبر من أحجام ملفات الوسائط المتوقعة
3. تتبع تنفيذ ملفات PHP المحملة مؤخراً في سجلات خادم الويب
4. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات المريبة من سياق مستخدم خادم الويب
5. تسجيل جميع استخدامات مفاتيح API وأحداث إنشاء جلسة المسؤول
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Information security requirements for supplier relationships (vendor patch management)
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures (patch deployment controls)
ECC 2024 A.12.4.1 - Event logging and monitoring (detection of unauthorized file uploads)
ECC 2024 A.13.1.3 - Segregation of networks (API endpoint isolation)
ECC 2024 A.14.1.1 - Information security incident management (breach response procedures)
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF Governance - Risk Management Framework (vulnerability assessment and remediation)
SAMA CSF Protective - Access Control (API key management and authentication)
SAMA CSF Protective - Data Protection (file upload validation and integrity)
SAMA CSF Protective - System Hardening (web server configuration and PHP execution controls)
SAMA CSF Detective - Monitoring and Logging (detection of malicious uploads and RCE attempts)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.23 - Information security for supplier relationships (vendor security updates)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - Organizational controls for information security (asset management)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - Personnel security (access control and authentication)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Physical and environmental security (server infrastructure protection)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.22 - Cloud computing (if Emlog hosted on cloud platforms)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.32 - Change management (patch deployment procedures)
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security patches must be installed within defined timeframe
PCI DSS 6.5.1 - Injection flaws prevention (file upload validation)
PCI DSS 11.3 - Penetration testing and vulnerability scanning
PCI DSS 12.2 - Configuration standards for system components
🔗 References & Sources 3
🔗
https://github.com/emlog/emlog/commit/429b02fda842254b9b9b39303e9161999c180560
security-advisories@github.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/emlog/emlog/security/advisories/GHSA-p837-mrw9-5x5j
security-advisories@github.com
Exploit
Vendor Advisory
🔗
https://github.com/emlog/emlog/security/advisories/GHSA-p837-mrw9-5x5j
134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Exploit
Vendor Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
emlog:emlog