CVE-2007-4641 in Pakupaku
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in Pakupaku CMS 0.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the page parameter, as demonstrated by injecting code into an Apache log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4641 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Pakupaku CMS version 0.4 and earlier implementations. This weakness resides in the index.php script where user input is inadequately sanitized, specifically in the page parameter handling mechanism. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion paths by leveraging directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation, thereby gaining unauthorized access to local files on the server hosting the CMS.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a systematic approach where attackers construct malicious URLs containing directory traversal sequences in the page parameter. When the CMS processes these requests, it fails to validate or sanitize the input properly, allowing the application to interpret the .. sequences and traverse upward through the directory structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which classifies directory traversal vulnerabilities as improper input validation that allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory scope. The attack vector becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the ability to inject code into Apache log files, as demonstrated in the vulnerability description.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure to include potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected server. The specific demonstration involving Apache log file injection highlights how attackers can escalate privileges by placing malicious payloads within log files that are subsequently processed by the CMS. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can maintain access even after initial exploitation, as the injected code remains present in the log files and gets executed during subsequent CMS processing.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK framework's T1566, which covers initial access through exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which addresses execution through scripts and commands. The vulnerability's classification as a directory traversal issue makes it particularly dangerous in web application contexts where proper input validation and access controls are essential. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, proper file path sanitization, and restricting file inclusion capabilities to prevent attackers from manipulating the application's file access behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4641 should prioritize immediate patching of the Pakupaku CMS to version 0.5 or later, where the directory traversal vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation mechanisms that filter or reject directory traversal sequences in all user-supplied parameters. The implementation of secure coding practices, including the use of allowlists for file inclusion and proper access controls, should be enforced throughout the application. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by detecting and blocking suspicious directory traversal attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that proper input sanitization techniques are consistently applied across all software components.