CVE-2007-5050 in Neuron News
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in Neuron News 1.0 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the q parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5050 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Neuron News 1.0 content management system that exposes the application to remote code execution attacks. This weakness resides within the index.php script where user input is improperly validated before being used to include local files, creating an avenue for attackers to navigate the file system and access sensitive resources. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the q parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. which allows adversaries to move up the directory hierarchy and access files outside the intended web root directory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the classic directory traversal pattern where insufficient input sanitization enables attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. When the q parameter contains sequences like ../../etc/passwd or similar traversal patterns, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file operations. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code by including system files or web shells, depending on the server configuration and file permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive system files, configuration data, database credentials, and potentially gain shell access to the underlying server. The implications are particularly severe for web applications that execute with elevated privileges or have access to sensitive data repositories. Attackers may exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or launch further attacks against internal network resources. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments, as attackers often use directory traversal to gain initial access before escalating their compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5050 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or filters out directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. The application should employ absolute path resolution and validate all file inclusion operations against a whitelist of allowed files or directories. Security patches should be applied immediately if available, as this vulnerability has been widely known since 2007 and multiple remediation approaches exist. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, disabling unnecessary file inclusion features, and conducting regular security audits of web applications can prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should monitor for suspicious directory traversal patterns in web traffic, while regular security assessments should validate that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application codebase. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in preventing path traversal attacks and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.