CVE-2005-0743 in XOOPS
Summary
by MITRE
The custom avatar uploading feature (uploader.php) for XOOPS 2.0.9.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary PHP scripts, whose file extensions are not filtered.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0743 resides within the XOOPS content management system version 2.0.9.2 and earlier, specifically within the custom avatar uploading functionality implemented in the uploader.php script. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly undermines the platform's file upload validation mechanisms and exposes the entire system to potential remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and file extension filtering within the avatar upload process, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the web server.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type," and represents a classic case of inadequate file validation in web applications. The flaw occurs because the uploader.php script fails to properly validate or filter file extensions before allowing uploads to proceed, enabling attackers to bypass normal security controls. When users upload avatars, the system does not enforce strict checks on file types, allowing PHP scripts with extensions like .php, .phtml, or other executable file types to be uploaded directly to the server's file system without proper authorization or verification.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using vulnerable XOOPS installations, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full control over the web server, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it accessible to anyone with access to the vulnerable system's web interface.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves uploading a malicious PHP script disguised as an avatar image, which can then be executed by the web server to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, establishing backdoors, or launching further attacks against the internal network. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how the flaw can be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the avatar upload feature, implementing strict file extension filtering, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all file upload mechanisms within their web applications.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the affected XOOPS versions to 2.0.10 or later, where the file upload validation has been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict file type validation, implement proper file extension whitelisting, and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious upload attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file content validation, upload directory permissions restrictions, and regular security scanning of their web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.