CVE-2007-5773 in Flatnuke3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in index.php in the File Manager module in Flatnuke 3 allows remote attackers to perform certain actions as administrators via requests containing the pathname in the dir parameter and the filename in the ffile parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The CVE-2007-5773 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the File Manager module of Flatnuke 3 content management system. This vulnerability exists in the index.php script where user input parameters are not properly validated or authenticated, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized administrative actions. The flaw specifically manifests when attackers craft requests containing the pathname in the dir parameter and the filename in the ffile parameter, allowing them to manipulate file operations within the system.
This CSRF vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery conditions where web applications fail to validate that requests originate from legitimate sources. The vulnerability operates by tricking authenticated users into executing unwanted actions without their knowledge or consent, leveraging the trust relationship between the user and the web application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform administrative tasks such as file deletion, modification, or upload operations that should only be accessible to authorized administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary file operations within the Flatnuke 3 system. An attacker could potentially delete critical system files, upload malicious code, or modify existing files to compromise the entire web application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative level, meaning successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack vector does not require authentication credentials from the attacker, as they can leverage existing authenticated sessions to perform malicious actions.
The attack scenario typically involves an administrator visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link that automatically submits requests to the vulnerable Flatnuke 3 installation. The web browser automatically includes any necessary cookies or authentication tokens, making it appear as though the request originates from the legitimate administrator. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be exploited without direct user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing with Pretext) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) as attackers can use web-based phishing techniques to deliver malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper CSRF token validation mechanisms within the application, ensuring all administrative actions require explicit authentication tokens that are validated server-side, and implementing proper input sanitization and parameter validation. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which requests can be made, and ensure that all user sessions are properly managed with secure cookie attributes. Additionally, the Flatnuke 3 system should be updated to a patched version or replaced with a more secure content management system that properly addresses CSRF vulnerabilities. The implementation of anti-CSRF tokens and proper session management would effectively neutralize this attack vector and prevent unauthorized administrative actions from being executed without explicit user consent.