CVE-2008-0431 in IDMOS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in administrator/download.php in IDMOS (aka Phoenix) 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the fileName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0431 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the IDMOS (also known as Phoenix) content management system version 1.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrator/download.php component, which processes file download requests through the fileName parameter. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied file paths, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the application's file access behavior through crafted directory traversal sequences.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates by exploiting the absence of proper path validation in the fileName parameter processing within the download.php script. When an attacker submits a fileName value containing .. (dot dot) sequences, the application fails to sanitize this input properly, enabling the attacker to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can potentially access sensitive system files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability enables unauthorized data exfiltration, which can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files may allow attackers to identify system configurations, discover other vulnerabilities, or extract sensitive information that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system, as unauthorized file access can lead to information disclosure and potential system manipulation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers can use the information gathered to craft more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0431 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The primary defense involves implementing proper path validation that rejects or removes directory traversal sequences from user input before processing. This can be achieved through whitelist validation that only allows specific, expected file paths or by implementing proper path normalization that resolves absolute paths and prevents traversal attempts. Organizations should also implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring that the web application runs with minimal necessary permissions and that file access is restricted to designated directories. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version of IDMOS that addresses this vulnerability, as the original version 1.0 is no longer supported and likely contains additional unpatched vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can also help detect and block malicious traversal attempts, though these should complement rather than replace proper input validation. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.