CVE-2008-0478 in SetCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in SetCMS 3.6.5 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the set parameter, as demonstrated by sending a certain CLIENT_IP HTTP header in an enter action to index.php, and injecting PHP sequences into files/enter.set, which is then included by index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0478 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within SetCMS version 3.6.5 that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through manipulated file inclusion mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script where the set parameter is processed without adequate input validation, creating an exploitable path traversal condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to access and execute local files on the server. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the set parameter to include parent directory references using the .. (dot dot) notation, which bypasses normal file access controls and allows unauthorized file system navigation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a classic path traversal pattern where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file operations. When the enter action is triggered through index.php, the system processes the CLIENT_IP HTTP header value and incorporates it into the file path construction for files/enter.set. This creates a scenario where maliciously crafted input can manipulate the file inclusion process to access arbitrary local files that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to inject PHP code sequences into the enter.set file, which then gets included and executed by the vulnerable index.php script, effectively providing remote code execution capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to systems running SetCMS 3.6.5 as it allows attackers to potentially gain complete control over the affected server. The attack vector requires only a single HTTP request with a specially crafted CLIENT_IP header, making it relatively easy to exploit in practice. Successful exploitation could lead to data theft, system compromise, and full server control, as attackers can execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the file system level, potentially allowing access to sensitive configuration files, database credentials, and other system resources that could be used for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal attacks. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. Additionally, the application should employ proper file access controls and avoid dynamic file inclusion based on user input. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious patterns in HTTP headers and request parameters. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing malicious code through PHP injection, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls including proper input validation, least privilege access controls, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of such fundamental path traversal vulnerabilities in web applications.