CVE-2007-6567 in Community Classifieds
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in XZero Community Classifieds 4.95.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the pagename parameter in a page view action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6567 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the XZero Community Classifieds software version 4.95.11 and earlier. This weakness resides in the index.php script where the application fails to properly validate user input submitted through the pagename parameter during page view operations. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence commonly used to navigate directory structures. When an attacker submits a crafted pagename parameter containing directory traversal sequences, the application processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, potentially allowing unauthorized access to local files on the server. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of input validation and access control, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can potentially execute arbitrary code or gain access to sensitive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application's file inclusion mechanism processes user-supplied data without proper validation or sanitization. The pagename parameter in the page view action becomes the attack vector where directory traversal sequences like ../ or ..\ can be injected. When the system processes these sequences, it allows the attacker to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected. This behavior aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially include any file that the web application process has permission to access, including configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable complete system compromise. Remote attackers could leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the target system, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, or escalate their privileges within the application environment. The consequences are particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects a classifieds platform where users might store personal information, business data, or other confidential materials. Attackers could potentially access user accounts, retrieve private communications, or even use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability also demonstrates poor secure coding practices and inadequate input validation mechanisms that could affect the overall security posture of the entire application ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6567 must focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of XZero Community Classifieds where available, as the vendor likely released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation within the index.php script is essential, including filtering out directory traversal sequences such as .. or \. The application should employ a whitelist approach for acceptable page names and ensure that all user-supplied input undergoes strict validation before being processed. Implementing proper access controls and limiting file inclusion capabilities to specific directories can further reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious directory traversal patterns in web application logs, and network intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on such potentially malicious requests. This vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in addressing path traversal and input validation weaknesses that could lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.