CVE-2007-5674 in Weather
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in InstaGuide Weather (aka Weather for PHP) 1.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the PageName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5674 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the InstaGuide Weather application version 1.0, specifically affecting the index.php script. This weakness arises from insufficient input validation when processing the PageName parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous when the web server has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, which removes a crucial protection layer that would normally escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. Without this safeguard, malicious actors can exploit the application's file inclusion routine to access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. Attackers can construct malicious URLs containing sequences like ../../../etc/passwd or similar directory traversal patterns within the PageName parameter to navigate beyond the intended directory structure. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, these traversal sequences remain unescaped and are directly processed by the application's file inclusion mechanism, allowing attackers to access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or even execute arbitrary code by including system files. The attack vector operates through the standard http protocol and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially gain access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and user information stored on the server. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but also poses risks to the broader server infrastructure, as it may enable attackers to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks against internal networks. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, as the ability to include arbitrary local files opens pathways for code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters out directory traversal sequences such as .., \, and / characters from user-supplied parameters before they are processed by the file inclusion functions. Additionally, administrators should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is enabled or implement equivalent protection mechanisms within the application code. The recommended solution includes using whitelisting approaches where only predefined valid page names are accepted, or implementing proper path normalization techniques that resolve absolute paths and prevent traversal attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, ensuring that applications do not have unnecessary file access permissions that could be exploited by malicious actors.