CVE-2008-0452 in Siteman
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in articles.php in Siteman 1.1.9 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the cat parameter in a viewart action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0452 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the Siteman 1.1.9 content management system. This security weakness specifically affects the articles.php script and manifests when processing the cat parameter during a viewart action. The flaw enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating directory traversal sequences, potentially exposing sensitive system information that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability occurs because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before using it to construct file paths. When the cat parameter contains sequences such as ../ or ..\, the application processes these without adequate input filtering, allowing attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should be restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise if attackers can access critical system files, configuration data, or database credentials. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could retrieve sensitive files including but not limited to configuration files containing database passwords, user credential files, system logs, or even executable code that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The remote nature of this attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without authentication.
From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics. The vulnerability could be used as an initial access point in a broader attack chain where attackers first gather information about the target system through file discovery before moving on to more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Organizations using Siteman 1.1.9 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and proper access controls. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict input validation on all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file path construction, and employing secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks through the use of allowlists for valid parameters rather than denylists that attempt to block known malicious sequences.