CVE-2007-0804 in GGCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in admin/subpages.php in GGCMS 1.1.0 RC1 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into arbitrary files via ".." sequences in the subpageName parameter, as demonstrated by injecting PHP code into a template file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0804 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the GGCMS content management system version 1.1.0 RC1 and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the admin/subpages.php component where input validation fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data. The flaw specifically manifests when the subpageName parameter receives ".." sequences that allow attackers to manipulate file paths and navigate outside the intended directory structure. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which classifies directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation where attackers can manipulate file access paths to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The attack vector enables remote code execution through template file injection, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on dynamic content generation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper path validation and sanitization in the application's file handling mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious ".." sequences through the subpageName parameter, the system fails to properly resolve the intended file paths and instead allows the traversal to occur. This creates an opportunity for arbitrary PHP code injection into template files, which are typically executed with elevated privileges within the web application context. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal pattern where the application does not adequately validate or sanitize user input before using it in file system operations. The attack effectively bypasses normal access controls and allows unauthorized modification of critical application files, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access manipulation to encompass full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can inject malicious PHP code into template files, which then executes with the privileges of the web server process. This creates a persistent backdoor within the application that can be used for ongoing unauthorized access, data theft, or further exploitation of the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but can also compromise the entire hosting environment, particularly in shared hosting scenarios where multiple applications reside on the same server. Organizations running affected versions of GGCMS face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, application integrity compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0804 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that prevents any occurrence of ".." sequences or other directory traversal patterns in user-supplied input. This should include comprehensive parameter filtering and normalization before any file system operations are performed. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include upgrading to a patched version of GGCMS, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts, and conducting thorough security assessments of affected systems. Additionally, regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect any suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and demonstrates how seemingly simple flaws can lead to catastrophic security breaches, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP code injection and T1021.004 for remote services exploitation.