Description
lib/MT/Upgrade.pm in mt-upgrade.cgi in Movable Type 4.2x and 4.3x through 4.38 does not require authentication for requests to database-migration functions, which allows remote attackers to conduct eval injection and SQL injection attacks via crafted parameters, as demonstrated by an eval injection attack against the core_drop_meta_for_table function, leading to execution of arbitrary Perl code.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 6.0 | movabletype-opensource | 4.3.8+dfsg-0+squeeze3 | DSA-2611-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Metasploit 1 module
-
Movable Type 4.2x, 4.3x Web Upgrade Remote Code Execution
exploit/multi/http/movabletype_upgrade_exec
Exploit-DB 1
- Movable Type 4.2x/4.3x - Web Upgrade Remote Code Execution (Metasploit) EDB-24321 · remote · Jan 7, 2013 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-2611-1 movabletype-opensource - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026