CVE-2004-2256 in Directory
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in phpMyFAQ 1.4.0 alpha allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, and possibly execute local PHP files, via .. sequences in the lang (language) variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2256 represents a critical directory traversal flaw discovered in phpMyFAQ version 1.4.0 alpha, a widely used open-source web-based database management tool. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's language selection mechanism, specifically affecting the lang parameter that handles language variable processing. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file paths through the use of directory traversal sequences, commonly known as dot-dot-slash sequences, which can be exploited to access sensitive files beyond the intended scope of the application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness allows adversaries to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to critical system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input containing .. sequences through the lang parameter, which is then processed without proper sanitization or validation. When phpMyFAQ processes these sequences, it fails to properly restrict file access to the intended language files, instead allowing the application to traverse directories and access files that should remain protected. This flaw specifically affects the language selection functionality where the application loads language-specific files based on user input. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple file reading capabilities to potentially allow local PHP file execution, depending on the server configuration and the specific files that can be accessed through the traversal mechanism. Attackers can leverage this weakness to read configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive information that may be stored in accessible directories.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2256 is significant for organizations utilizing phpMyFAQ 1.4.0 alpha, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to compromise system security and potentially escalate privileges. Remote exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments. The ability to read arbitrary files can lead to information disclosure attacks, where sensitive data such as database connection strings, administrative credentials, and application configuration details can be extracted. When combined with local PHP execution capabilities, the vulnerability can potentially allow attackers to execute malicious code on the server, leading to full system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics, as attackers can use the directory traversal to discover and access sensitive files that may contain credentials or other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the phpMyFAQ application to a version that addresses the directory traversal flaw, as the affected version 1.4.0 alpha contains no built-in protections against such attacks. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters including language variables are properly validated before processing. The implementation of a whitelist approach for language selection, where only pre-approved language codes are accepted, provides an effective defense mechanism against such attacks. Additionally, proper file permissions and directory access controls should be enforced to limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual access patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation practices and proper secure coding techniques, as recommended by industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards, which emphasize the critical need to validate and sanitize all user inputs to prevent path traversal attacks.