CVE-2005-2437 in Website Baker
Summary
by MITRE
Website Baker Project does not properly verify the file extensions of uploaded files, which allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The CVE-2005-2437 vulnerability affects the Website Baker Project, a content management system that failed to implement proper file extension validation during the file upload process. This critical security flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the application's file handling routines. The vulnerability exists in the core file upload functionality where the system does not adequately verify or restrict the file extensions of uploaded content, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls.
This vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure file upload handling that aligns with CWE-434, which describes the weakness of allowing files with potentially dangerous extensions to be uploaded to a web application. The technical flaw manifests when the application accepts file uploads without proper validation of file types, allowing attackers to upload PHP files with extensions that are not properly filtered or rejected. The absence of robust file extension verification means that even if an attacker attempts to upload a file with a .php extension, the system fails to prevent this action, potentially allowing the execution of malicious code on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server. This privilege escalation allows adversaries to gain full control over the web application and potentially the underlying server infrastructure. Attackers can upload malicious PHP scripts that can perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, creating backdoors, establishing persistent access, or launching further attacks against the internal network. The vulnerability enables a wide range of malicious operations that can compromise the entire web application ecosystem and potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The threat landscape surrounding this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to execute arbitrary code. This weakness creates a persistent attack surface that can be exploited by various threat actors, from automated malware to sophisticated advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special privileges or complex attack chains, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2437 involve implementing comprehensive file upload validation mechanisms that enforce strict extension filtering and content verification. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including proper file extension validation, MIME type checking, and content analysis to ensure uploaded files conform to expected formats. The system should reject files with potentially dangerous extensions such as .php, .phtml, .php3, .php4, .php5, .pl, .py, .jsp, .asp, .aspx, and other scripting extensions that could be executed on the server. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored in a separate directory that is not directly accessible via the web server, and proper access controls should be implemented to prevent execution of uploaded content. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure the application remains protected against known vulnerabilities, and comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code review should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application's file handling processes.