CVE-2008-0148 in TUTOS
Summary
by MITRE
TUTOS 1.3 does not restrict access to php/admin/cmd.php, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via the cmd parameter in a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0148 affects TUTOS version 1.3, a web-based groupware application designed for collaborative environments. This security flaw represents a critical access control weakness that fundamentally undermines the application's security model and exposes systems to remote command execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access restriction mechanisms within the application's administrative components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the php/admin/cmd.php script, which serves as an administrative interface for executing system commands. When attackers make direct requests to this endpoint with the cmd parameter, they can inject and execute arbitrary shell commands on the underlying operating system. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where user-controllable input flows directly into system execution contexts without proper sanitization or authorization checks. The flaw exists because the application fails to implement proper authentication and authorization controls for administrative functions, allowing any remote attacker to access these privileged endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete system control capabilities. Remote command execution enables adversaries to perform actions such as data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access. Organizations running TUTOS 1.3 are at significant risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks through this attack vector.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of the affected TUTOS version, implementing proper access controls for administrative endpoints, and establishing network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls, conduct regular security assessments, and ensure proper input validation and output encoding to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative interfaces in web applications.