CVE-2008-0427 in bloofoxCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in file.php in bloofoxCMS 0.3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0427 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the bloofoxCMS 0.3 content management system. This security weakness resides in the file.php component where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file access parameters. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the file parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) which enables attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is classified as a fundamental security flaw in web applications that directly impacts the principle of least privilege and access control mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates entirely through remote access without requiring authentication, making it highly exploitable in automated attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before using it in file system operations. When the file parameter is processed in file.php, the system does not adequately validate or filter the input to prevent directory traversal sequences from being interpreted as legitimate path navigation commands. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs that include sequences like ../../etc/passwd or similar path traversal patterns that would normally be blocked by proper input validation. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal file access restrictions and read arbitrary files from the server's file system, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or system files that contain authentication tokens and other critical data. This represents a severe compromise of data confidentiality and could lead to further exploitation opportunities including privilege escalation or system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0427 extends beyond immediate data theft to encompass broader security implications for affected organizations. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the application has access to critical resources or database connections. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require specialized tools or deep technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous as it can be targeted by automated scanning tools and script kiddies. Organizations running bloofoxCMS 0.3 are at risk of exposure to data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences depending on the nature of information accessed through this vulnerability. The attack can be executed from any location with internet connectivity, making it extremely difficult to detect and trace back to its source. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers can use the gained information to craft more sophisticated attacks or to identify additional system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0427 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement strict input filtering that removes or encodes directory traversal sequences such as .. and / from user-supplied parameters before they are processed in file system operations. The recommended approach involves using a whitelist validation mechanism that only allows predefined, safe file paths and names while rejecting any input containing traversal sequences. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and ensuring that the application runs with minimal required privileges can significantly reduce the impact of successful exploitation. Security patches should be applied immediately if available, as bloofoxCMS 0.3 is an outdated version that likely lacks modern security features and has been superseded by newer releases with proper input validation mechanisms. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper application-level fixes. Regular security auditing and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems that may be susceptible to the same class of attacks, following the principle that all software should be treated as potentially vulnerable until proven otherwise.