CVE-2007-1158 in Pagesetter
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in the Pagesetter 6.2.0 through 6.3.0 beta 5 module for PostNuke allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1158 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that existed within the Pagesetter module for PostNuke platforms. This security weakness affected versions 6.2.0 through 6.3.0 beta 5 and specifically targeted the index.php file within the module's codebase. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate file access requests. The flaw manifests when the id parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters, which enables unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive files that may contain database credentials, configuration settings, application source code, or other confidential data. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to read arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through simple HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application. This vulnerability directly enables techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 discovery tactic, specifically targeting file and directory permissions and the T1566 initial access phase through web application attacks.
The exploitation of this directory traversal vulnerability demonstrates how inadequate input validation can create severe security implications in web applications. When the id parameter in index.php fails to properly sanitize user input, it allows attackers to append directory traversal sequences that bypass normal file access controls. This flaw represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that could be exploited to access not only application files but potentially system files, configuration databases, and other sensitive resources. Organizations running vulnerable PostNuke installations with the affected Pagesetter module faced significant risk of data breaches and system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple versions within the 6.2.0 to 6.3.0 beta 5 range, indicating a prolonged period during which the security flaw remained unaddressed. Remediation efforts should have included input validation improvements, proper parameter sanitization, and implementation of secure file access controls to prevent unauthorized file system access through manipulated URL parameters.