CVE-2005-3680 in XOOPS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in editor_registry.php in XOOPS 2.2.3 allows remote attackers to read or include arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the xoopsConfig[language] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2019
The directory traversal vulnerability identified in CVE-2005-3680 affects XOOPS version 2.2.3 and specifically targets the editor_registry.php component within the application's configuration handling mechanism. This flaw represents a classic path traversal attack vector that enables malicious actors to access arbitrary local files on the server through improper input validation. The vulnerability manifests when the xoopsConfig[language] parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters, which allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access sensitive files that should remain protected.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation within the XOOPS framework's language configuration handling. When the application processes the language parameter without proper validation, it fails to sanitize the input string before using it to construct file paths. This omission creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the file inclusion mechanism by injecting traversal sequences that bypass normal path restrictions. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that directly enables unauthorized file access through path manipulation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations running affected XOOPS installations. Remote attackers can potentially access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user information, and other critical system data that resides within the application's file structure. The ability to include arbitrary local files means that attackers could execute malicious code or obtain sensitive information that could lead to further compromise of the system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers can leverage such flaws to gain initial access or escalate privileges by retrieving system information through file inclusion attacks.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the application's configuration handling code. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input parameters undergo strict validation to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The recommended approach includes implementing whitelisting mechanisms that only allow predefined valid language parameters, implementing proper path normalization, and using secure file access methods that prevent path traversal attacks. Additionally, system administrators should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to patched versions of XOOPS that address this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws throughout the application codebase, following security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.