CVE-2008-0703 in sflog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in sflog! 0.96 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) permalink or (2) section parameter to index.php, possibly involving includes/entries.inc.php and other files included by index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0703 affects sflog! version 0.96, a web-based logging application that suffers from multiple directory traversal flaws. These vulnerabilities exist in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters within the index.php script, specifically in how it processes the permalink and section parameters. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion mechanisms by injecting directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially read arbitrary files from the server's file system, including sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the sflog! application. When the application processes the permalink or section parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before using it in file inclusion operations. The vulnerable code likely constructs file paths by directly concatenating user-supplied parameters without proper filtering or canonicalization checks. This creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's file resolution mechanism by injecting ../ sequences that navigate up the directory tree. The vulnerability specifically involves the includes/entries.inc.php file and other components included by index.php, indicating that the flaw exists in the application's include path handling rather than in the core application logic itself. This type of vulnerability is categorized 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 operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any system running the affected sflog! version, as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to the file system. An attacker could potentially read sensitive files such as configuration files containing database credentials, user authentication information, or other system-related data that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by allowing unauthorized data disclosure. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files could potentially lead to information disclosure of system files, application source code, or other sensitive materials that might reveal implementation details useful for more sophisticated attacks. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or filters out directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application. This includes implementing proper path canonicalization that resolves all symbolic links and removes any .. sequences from user input before file operations are performed. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and ensure that the web application runs with minimal required privileges, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts in HTTP requests provides an additional layer of defense. Regular security updates and patch management practices should be enforced to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory traversal and file system enumeration, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing security monitoring and incident response procedures.