CVE-2008-0635 in Openads
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the delivery engine in Openads 2.4.0 through 2.4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0635 represents a critical security flaw within the Openads advertising platform version 2.4.0 through 2.4.2. This issue resides within the delivery engine component of the system, which is responsible for serving advertisements to end users. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors indicates that the exact attack surface remains unclear, but the potential for remote code execution makes this particularly concerning for organizations relying on this advertising infrastructure.
This vulnerability classifies under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code" or "Code Injection," specifically manifesting as a remote code execution vulnerability. The delivery engine in Openads serves as a critical component that processes and delivers advertisements, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the entire advertising platform. When an attacker can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, they gain complete control over the system, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or further network infiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to manipulate the advertising delivery process in ways that could compromise user privacy and system integrity. Organizations using affected Openads versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their advertising infrastructure, potentially enabling attackers to modify ad content, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making detection and prevention particularly challenging.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059.007 for PHP code execution and T1566 for the initial compromise through web application vulnerabilities. The lack of specific vector details in the CVE description suggests that multiple attack paths may exist, potentially including file upload flaws, parameter manipulation, or injection attacks that bypass normal input validation. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, regular security assessments, and immediate patching procedures to mitigate exposure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping third-party advertising platforms updated and maintaining robust security monitoring to detect unauthorized code execution attempts.