CVE-2007-5055 in iziContents
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in iziContents 1 RC6 and earlier allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in (1) the admin_home parameter to modules/poll/poll_summary.php or (2) the rootdp parameter to include/db.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5055 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting iziContents version 1 RC6 and earlier installations. This security weakness resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically within the administrative components of the software. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting improper input validation techniques that fail to sanitize path traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors within the iziContents application. The first vector targets the admin_home parameter in modules/poll/poll_summary.php, while the second targets the rootdp parameter in include/db.php. Both locations demonstrate inadequate input sanitization where the application directly incorporates user-provided values into file inclusion operations without proper validation or filtering. This flaw enables attackers to construct malicious paths containing .. (dot dot) sequences that navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to affected systems as it allows remote code execution capabilities through file inclusion attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive system files, configuration data, database credentials, and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target server. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to full system compromise, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques or when the application runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the iziContents content management system and could result in complete loss of data integrity and confidentiality.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness enables attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, as the ability to include arbitrary local files can lead to code execution. Organizations running affected versions of iziContents should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input validation, parameter sanitization, and access controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation efforts should prioritize the immediate upgrade to a patched version of iziContents, as this represents the most effective solution to address the underlying vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at all entry points where user-supplied data is processed can prevent malicious path traversal sequences from being processed. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, while access controls should be enforced to limit the privileges of the web application process. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system, ensuring comprehensive protection against directory traversal attacks.