CVE-2007-6528 in TikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in tiki-listmovies.php in TikiWiki before 1.9.9 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) and modified filename in the movie parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6528 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in TikiWiki versions prior to 1.9.9, specifically affecting the tiki-listmovies.php component. This weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the movie parameter through directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation combined with modified filenames. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access sensitive system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack pattern where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or validation. When the movie parameter contains sequences such as ../../../etc/passwd or similar directory traversal patterns, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file operations. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability specifically affects the tiki-listmovies.php script which likely processes movie-related data and attempts to access media files from predetermined directories, but fails to properly validate user input before constructing file paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive information. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources, extract confidential data, or potentially escalate their privileges within the compromised environment. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from any network location. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, as successful exploitation would likely reveal file system structures and access patterns that could be used for further reconnaissance.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6528 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the TikiWiki application. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to TikiWiki version 1.9.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement strict input validation on all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file system operations, by filtering out directory traversal sequences such as .., /, and \ characters. Implementing a whitelist approach for acceptable file names and paths, combined with proper access controls and privilege separation, would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security measures should also include regular security audits and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application, as well as implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against directory traversal attacks and other common web application vulnerabilities.