CVE-2007-4585 in 2532gigs
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in activateuser.php in 2532|Gigs 1.2.1 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the language parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4585 affects the 2532|Gigs 1.2.1 web application, specifically within the activateuser.php script. This vulnerability represents a classic path traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting improper input validation. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input passed through the language parameter, allowing malicious actors to craft requests containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot). This weakness directly violates security principles established in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the activateuser.php script processes the language parameter without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy. When a user-supplied parameter containing .. sequences is processed, the application may interpret these as legitimate path navigation commands, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files or execution of arbitrary code. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where the application assumes that user input will be properly formatted and safe for processing. The vulnerability enables attackers to include local files that should not be accessible through the web interface, potentially exposing configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system information.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4585 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to the web application's underlying file system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read sensitive files, execute malicious code, or even establish persistent access through backdoor file creation. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical lack of proper access controls and input validation mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the web application has elevated privileges or access to sensitive system resources. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many web applications use similar patterns for language selection or localization, making this type of vulnerability particularly widespread and impactful.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4585 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. Security measures should include whitelisting valid language parameters, implementing proper path normalization, and ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly escaped before processing. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to minimize the impact of successful exploitation. The implementation of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block directory traversal attempts can provide additional protection layers. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, particularly in areas where dynamic file inclusion occurs. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for information security management.