CVE-2007-2008 in pL-PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in admin.php in pL-PHP beta 0.9 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the lang parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2008 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the administrative interface of pL-PHP version beta 0.9. This issue resides in the admin.php script where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate the lang parameter through directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file inclusion operations, creating an avenue for attackers to access arbitrary local files on the server filesystem.
This directory traversal vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code by crafting malicious URLs that contain .. (dot dot) sequences in the lang parameter. When the application processes these sequences without proper validation, it can traverse up the directory hierarchy and access files that should remain protected, including configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to include local files such as /etc/passwd, system configuration files, or even web shell scripts that would allow persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, meaning that successful exploitation could result in unauthorized code execution, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for malicious file execution through directory traversal attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The most effective approach involves removing or escaping special characters such as .. sequences from user input before processing them in file operations. Additionally, implementing a whitelist-based approach for language parameter values would prevent arbitrary file inclusion entirely. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles to limit the damage that could result from successful exploitation. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The fix requires modifying the admin.php script to validate and sanitize the lang parameter, ensuring that all input is checked against a predefined set of allowed values before any file inclusion operations are performed, thereby eliminating the directory traversal attack vector entirely.