CVE-2007-2155 in TopSites
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in template.php in in phpFaber TopSites 3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the modify parameter in a template action to admin/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2155 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the phpFaber TopSites 3 web application. This weakness exists in the template.php file and specifically affects the administrative interface at admin/index.php. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data passed through the modify parameter. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as .. to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper path validation and sanitization that has been documented in numerous security frameworks including CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks that have been systematically catalogued in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Path Traversal" within the credential access and privilege escalation domains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the web server's file system. When the modify parameter in the template action is processed, the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations. This creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the file path resolution mechanism and access files that should remain protected, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system information. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability affects the administrative interface, which typically has elevated privileges and access to the most sensitive portions of the application. The vulnerability exists due to the application's failure to implement proper input filtering and path validation, allowing attackers to construct malicious file paths that can traverse directories and access unintended resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this directory traversal vulnerability can potentially access database configuration files, application source code, user credentials, and other sensitive data that may be stored in accessible locations. The vulnerability also enables further attack escalation, as access to system files may reveal additional weaknesses or provide information needed for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations running affected versions of phpFaber TopSites 3 face significant risk of unauthorized access to their web applications and underlying systems. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is high. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability type has been consistently identified across numerous web applications and represents a fundamental security gap that requires proper input validation and access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2155 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The primary fix involves ensuring that all user-supplied input passed to file system operations is properly validated and sanitized to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. Organizations should implement proper path validation that restricts file access to predefined directories and prevents relative path resolution. The solution should include implementing a whitelist approach for acceptable file paths or using secure file handling libraries that properly escape or validate file paths. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative functionality to authorized users only, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced throughout the application. Regular security code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and the application should be updated to versions that have addressed this specific weakness. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attack patterns, and ensure that the administrative interface is not directly exposed to untrusted networks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that the fix properly prevents traversal attempts while maintaining legitimate application functionality.