CVE-2007-2471 in sendcard
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in sendcard.php in Sendcard 3.4.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the form parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2471 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Sendcard 3.4.1 web application and earlier versions. This issue affects the sendcard.php script which processes user input through the form parameter, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before processing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests containing full pathnames in the form parameter, effectively bypassing normal access controls and directory restrictions imposed by the web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a common weakness in web applications. This flaw operates by manipulating the input processing flow where the application directly incorporates user-provided path information without proper validation. When the sendcard.php script receives a malicious form parameter containing a full pathname, it processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files. The vulnerability essentially enables attackers to perform unauthorized file system operations by exploiting the lack of proper input validation controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2471 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access critical system files, potentially obtaining database connection strings, administrative credentials, or application configuration details that could facilitate further exploitation. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary file reading, meaning attackers can access any file that the web application process has read permissions for, including sensitive data stored in the application's directory structure. This vulnerability can result in data breaches, system reconnaissance, and potentially full system compromise depending on the privileges of the web application process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques. The primary defense mechanism involves implementing strict input filtering that validates and sanitizes all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters that could be used to manipulate file paths. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that rejects or escapes special characters used in directory traversal attacks such as double dots and forward slashes. Additionally, the application should employ a whitelist approach for file access, ensuring that only predefined, safe file paths are accessible through the application. Security measures should include implementing proper access controls that limit the web application's file system access to only necessary directories, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments), highlighting the reconnaissance and exploitation patterns associated with directory traversal attacks.