CVE-2007-4457 in Dalai Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in forumreply.php in Dalai Forum 1.1 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the chemin parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4457 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Dalai Forum 1.1 web application, specifically affecting the forumreply.php script. This weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting improper input validation in the chemin parameter. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to adequately sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file operations, creating an avenue for attackers to navigate the file system beyond intended boundaries.
This directory traversal vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw allows attackers to specify file paths containing .. sequences that traverse up the directory hierarchy, potentially accessing sensitive system files, configuration data, or executable scripts that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include arbitrary code execution when the application processes user-controllable file paths.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise the entire web application server. By leveraging the directory traversal mechanism, an attacker could potentially access database configuration files containing credentials, system administration scripts, or other sensitive components. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. This represents a significant threat to system integrity and confidentiality, particularly in environments where the web application runs with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. Developers should employ absolute path validation, reject any input containing .. sequences, and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access. The recommended approach includes using allowlists of permitted file paths, implementing proper file access controls, and ensuring that all user-supplied input undergoes rigorous sanitization before being processed. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges and implement proper output encoding to prevent exploitation of related vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases.