CVE-2005-3789 in phpwcms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in phpwcms 1.2.5 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) form_lang parameter in login.php and (2) the imgdir parameter in random_image.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3789 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting phpwcms version 1.2.5, specifically targeting two distinct input parameters within different application components. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the form_lang parameter in the login.php script and the imgdir parameter in random_image.php script.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the phpwcms application. When attackers submit malicious input containing .. (dot dot) sequences through the form_lang parameter in login.php, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in file operations. Similarly, the imgdir parameter in random_image.php suffers from the same deficiency, allowing attackers to traverse directories and access files outside the intended scope. These weaknesses enable attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially read sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system files that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to the underlying file system of the affected web server. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, user credentials, or other confidential information stored within the application's directory structure. The vulnerability affects the authentication and image handling components of phpwcms, making it particularly dangerous as it could compromise both user access controls and the application's ability to properly manage media assets. This type of attack represents a fundamental security failure in input validation that could be leveraged as a stepping stone for further attacks within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3789 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization across all user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input filtering that rejects or removes any directory traversal sequences before processing user input. Additionally, applications should employ secure coding practices such as using whitelisting mechanisms for allowed parameters, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring that all file operations occur within predefined safe directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious directory traversal attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, and T1566, which covers credential access through various attack vectors including path traversal. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications, particularly those handling user input in file system operations.