CVE-2007-1255 in access
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in admin.bbcode.php in Connectix Boards 0.7 and earlier allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary PHP code by uploading a crafted GIF smiley image with a .php extension via the uploadimage parameter to admin.php, which can be later accessed via a direct request for the file in smileys/. NOTE: this can be leveraged with a separate SQL injection issue for remote unauthenticated attacks.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1255 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within the Connectix Boards 0.7 software ecosystem. This issue exists in the administrative backend component admin.bbcode.php, where the application fails to properly validate file extensions and content types during image upload operations. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated administrators who possess administrative privileges within the system, though its exploitation can be extended to unauthenticated attacks through a secondary SQL injection flaw present in the same software. The core technical weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that permit malicious users to upload files with executable code extensions despite the intended functionality being limited to image files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged for complete system compromise. Attackers can craft malicious GIF smiley images with embedded PHP code and rename them with .php extensions to bypass upload restrictions. When these files are uploaded through the uploadimage parameter in admin.php, they become accessible via direct requests to the smileys/ directory. This creates a persistent backdoor within the application that can be exploited repeatedly, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which specifically addresses the dangerous practice of allowing file uploads without proper validation.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires an authenticated administrator account, but the secondary SQL injection issue mentioned in the description allows for remote unauthenticated exploitation, significantly expanding the threat surface. This combination creates a particularly dangerous scenario where an attacker could first exploit the SQL injection to gain administrative access, then leverage the file upload vulnerability to establish persistent access. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation and persistence technique, specifically mapping to T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for execution. Organizations using Connectix Boards 0.7 or earlier versions face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited to gain complete control over the affected web application and underlying server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate file upload restriction issue and the underlying architectural flaws that enable such dangerous operations. The primary solution involves implementing strict file type validation that examines both file extensions and MIME types, rejecting any uploads that do not conform to predefined safe image formats. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored in a non-executable directory with proper file permissions, and all file uploads should be scanned for malicious content using signature-based and heuristic analysis. The application should also implement proper input sanitization and output encoding to prevent any potential bypass attempts. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious upload patterns, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. Patching the software to a version that addresses both the file upload vulnerability and the SQL injection issue represents the most effective long-term solution to prevent exploitation.