CVE-2007-5103 in Wordsmith
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in config.inc.php in Wordsmith 1.0 RC1, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the _path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5103 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Wordsmith content management system version 1.0 RC1. This weakness specifically manifests when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, creating a dangerous condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability resides within the config.inc.php file where the _path parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that can traverse directory structures and access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the dangerous interaction between register_globals and insecure file handling practices. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from request parameters, making it possible for attackers to directly influence the application's behavior through crafted input. The _path parameter in config.inc.php becomes the attack vector where a malicious user can append directory traversal sequences such as .. to navigate upward through the file system hierarchy. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary local code on the affected system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user information, and potentially gain full system control. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it requires only a single vulnerable parameter and the presence of register_globals, which was commonly enabled in many production environments during the time this vulnerability was discovered. This creates a high-risk scenario where remote code execution becomes possible without requiring additional privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
Security professionals should immediately disable register_globals in all PHP configurations as a primary mitigation strategy, as this parameter fundamentally undermines application security by creating dangerous global variable injection points. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file path parameters is essential to prevent directory traversal attacks. The application should employ absolute path validation, canonicalization of file paths, and strict access controls to ensure that only authorized files can be accessed through the application interface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and block suspicious file inclusion patterns. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and avoiding deprecated PHP configurations that create inherent security weaknesses in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow for arbitrary code execution through the file inclusion mechanism, while T1566 covers the initial access phase through the directory traversal attack vector.