CVE-2003-1545 in Nukestyles Viewpage Module
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in nukestyles.com viewpage.php addon for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the file parameter. NOTE: This was originally reported as an issue in PHP-Nuke 6.5, but this is an independent addon.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1545 represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the nukestyles.com viewpage.php addon for PHP-Nuke systems. This security weakness allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system by manipulating the file parameter with a full pathname, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially exposing sensitive system information. The vulnerability specifically affects the viewpage.php addon, which is an independent component from the core PHP-Nuke 6.5 framework, making it particularly concerning as it demonstrates how third-party extensions can introduce significant security risks to otherwise stable platforms. The flaw resides in the improper validation of user-supplied input, particularly in how the application processes the file parameter without adequate sanitization or access control measures.
This absolute path traversal vulnerability operates by allowing an attacker to specify complete file paths in the file parameter of the viewpage.php script, enabling them to read files that should normally be restricted from public access. The technical implementation of this flaw involves the application directly incorporating user-provided pathname data into file access operations without proper validation or restriction mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Pretext" as attackers can exploit this weakness to gather sensitive information from the targeted system. The flaw essentially creates a direct pathway for unauthorized file access through the web application interface, potentially exposing configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive data stored on the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1545 is substantial as it provides attackers with the capability to read arbitrary files from the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive files such as configuration databases, user credentials, application source code, or system files that contain confidential information. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be utilized by attackers with limited advanced skills. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as access to certain files could provide attackers with enough information to launch subsequent attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise or unauthorized access to user accounts. The fact that this vulnerability exists in an addon rather than the core PHP-Nuke system highlights the importance of validating third-party extensions and their security practices, as these components often receive less rigorous security scrutiny than core applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1545 should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control measures within the affected addon. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly the file parameter, by implementing strict path validation that ensures only authorized files can be accessed through the viewpage.php script. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls that prevent direct file system access through web interfaces and establish a whitelist approach for file access operations. The implementation of proper file access restrictions and the removal of unnecessary file reading capabilities in the addon can effectively neutralize this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security audits of third-party extensions and maintaining up-to-date versions of all software components can prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of defense against such attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of all application components, including third-party extensions that may introduce unexpected security risks.