CVE-2018-15811 — AI Deep Analysis Summary

Q: What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: DNN CMS uses weak encryption for input parameters. 💥 **Consequences**: Attackers craft malicious cookies → Deserialization → **Remote Code Execution (RCE)**. Critical integrity failure.

Q: Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **CWE**: Improper Cryptography. 🔍 **Flaw**: The system fails to correctly use cryptographic algorithms. Sensitive data is not properly encrypted, allowing manipulation.

Q: Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

📦 **Product**: DNN (DotNetNuke) CMS. 📅 **Affected Versions**: **9.2** through **9.2.1**. 🏢 **Vendor**: DNN Corporation (Microsoft-supported ASP.NET platform).

Q: What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

💀 **Privileges**: Full **Remote Code Execution**. 📂 **Data**: Complete system compromise via deserialized malicious `DNNPersonalization` cookies. No user interaction needed.

Q: Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

⚡ **Threshold**: **LOW**. 🌐 **Auth**: No authentication required. 📝 **Config**: Exploits weak encryption in cookie handling. Anyone can send the crafted payload.

Q: Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

🔓 **Public Exp?**: **YES**. 📜 **PoC**: Available via ProjectDiscovery Nuclei templates & PacketStorm. 🌍 **Wild Exploitation**: High risk due to automated scanning tools.

Q: How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Scan for DNN versions 9.2-9.2.1. 🧪 **Test**: Look for `DNNPersonalization` cookie handling. 🛠️ **Tool**: Use Nuclei templates for automated detection.

Q: Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

🩹 **Fix**: **YES**. 📥 **Action**: Update DNN to a patched version. 📢 **Source**: Check official DNN Community Security Center & GitHub releases for the fix.

Q: What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **Workaround**: If unpatched, **disable** or **restrict** cookie deserialization. 🚫 **Mitigation**: Implement strict input validation on `DNNPersonalization` cookies. Monitor for RCE attempts.

Q: Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔥 **Urgency**: **CRITICAL**. 🚨 **Priority**: **P0**. RCE via weak crypto is severe. Patch immediately to prevent total server takeover.

Updated May 06, 2026

This is a summary of the AI-generated 10-question deep analysis. The full version (longer answers, follow-up Q&A, related CVEs) requires login. Read the full analysis →

Q1What is this vulnerability? (Essence + Consequences)

🚨 **Essence**: DNN CMS uses weak encryption for input parameters. 💥 **Consequences**: Attackers craft malicious cookies → Deserialization → **Remote Code Execution (RCE)**. Critical integrity failure.

Q2Root Cause? (CWE/Flaw)

🛡️ **CWE**: Improper Cryptography. 🔍 **Flaw**: The system fails to correctly use cryptographic algorithms. Sensitive data is not properly encrypted, allowing manipulation.

Q3Who is affected? (Versions/Components)

📦 **Product**: DNN (DotNetNuke) CMS. 📅 **Affected Versions**: **9.2** through **9.2.1**. 🏢 **Vendor**: DNN Corporation (Microsoft-supported ASP.NET platform).

Q4What can hackers do? (Privileges/Data)

💀 **Privileges**: Full **Remote Code Execution**. 📂 **Data**: Complete system compromise via deserialized malicious `DNNPersonalization` cookies. No user interaction needed.

Q5Is exploitation threshold high? (Auth/Config)

⚡ **Threshold**: **LOW**. 🌐 **Auth**: No authentication required. 📝 **Config**: Exploits weak encryption in cookie handling. Anyone can send the crafted payload.

Q6Is there a public Exp? (PoC/Wild Exploitation)

🔓 **Public Exp?**: **YES**. 📜 **PoC**: Available via ProjectDiscovery Nuclei templates & PacketStorm. 🌍 **Wild Exploitation**: High risk due to automated scanning tools.

Q7How to self-check? (Features/Scanning)

🔍 **Check**: Scan for DNN versions 9.2-9.2.1. 🧪 **Test**: Look for `DNNPersonalization` cookie handling. 🛠️ **Tool**: Use Nuclei templates for automated detection.

Q8Is it fixed officially? (Patch/Mitigation)

🩹 **Fix**: **YES**. 📥 **Action**: Update DNN to a patched version. 📢 **Source**: Check official DNN Community Security Center & GitHub releases for the fix.

Q9What if no patch? (Workaround)

🚧 **Workaround**: If unpatched, **disable** or **restrict** cookie deserialization. 🚫 **Mitigation**: Implement strict input validation on `DNNPersonalization` cookies. Monitor for RCE attempts.

Q10Is it urgent? (Priority Suggestion)

🔥 **Urgency**: **CRITICAL**. 🚨 **Priority**: **P0**. RCE via weak crypto is severe. Patch immediately to prevent total server takeover.

Continue exploring

Vulnerability detail Full AI analysis (login) n/a