CVE-2008-0503 in Smart Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in admin/op/disp.php in Netwerk Smart Publisher 1.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the filedata parameter.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The CVE-2008-0503 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code injection flaw in the Netwerk Smart Publisher 1.0.1 content management system. This vulnerability exists within the administrative component of the software, specifically in the file disp.php which handles file data operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data passed through the filedata parameter. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets evaluated as PHP code rather than being treated as plain text or data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the category of code injection attacks where the application directly executes user-provided code without proper sanitization. The affected file disp.php processes the filedata parameter through an eval() function or similar code evaluation mechanism, which allows attackers to inject arbitrary PHP commands. This creates a path for remote code execution where an attacker can execute system commands, access sensitive data, or compromise the entire web server. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-94 weakness, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell" when attackers leverage the code execution capability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using Netwerk Smart Publisher 1.0.1. Remote attackers can gain complete control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the administrative interface, which typically has elevated privileges, making the compromise even more dangerous. An attacker could upload malicious files, establish backdoors, modify content, or use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks against internal networks. The vulnerability also poses risks to other systems that may share the same infrastructure or database connections with the compromised web application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0503 should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves applying the vendor-supplied patch or upgrading to a newer version of Netwerk Smart Publisher that addresses this code injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for all parameters that interact with code execution functions. The use of parameterized queries and avoiding dynamic code evaluation where possible can prevent similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to administrative interfaces. Additionally, regular security audits, web application firewalls, and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date software versions as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.