CVE-2005-2179 in Jaws
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in BlogModel.php in Jaws 0.5.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2179 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw that existed within the Jaws content management system version 0.5.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the BlogModel.php component of the application, which serves as a core module responsible for handling blog-related functionalities. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being processed as part of file inclusion operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the path parameter within the BlogModel.php script. When an attacker supplies a malicious value to this parameter, the application's flawed logic allows the remote file inclusion to proceed without proper validation. This creates an avenue for arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious PHP code on the target server. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and aligns with the broader class of CWE-94, which encompasses arbitrary code execution vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems running affected versions of Jaws. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could result in data theft, service disruption, and the establishment of persistent backdoors within the compromised infrastructure.
The vulnerability's classification within the ATT&CK framework aligns with techniques such as T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for execution through PHP. Organizations running affected systems face significant exposure as the flaw can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring complex attack chains. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security. The lack of proper parameter sanitization in this case represents a fundamental security oversight that could be prevented through adherence to secure coding practices and comprehensive security testing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Jaws installations to version 0.5.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation measures, including whitelisting acceptable parameter values and employing strict sanitization routines. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the application stack, as this vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.