CVE-2008-1126 in Barryvan Compo Manager
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in main.php in Barryvan Compo Manager 0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the pageURL parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1126 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Barryvan Compo Manager 0.3 web application. This issue resides in the main.php script where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs into the pageURL parameter. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-98, which specifically addresses improper file inclusion vulnerabilities that allow remote attackers to include files from external sources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the pageURL parameter in the main.php script. The application processes this input without adequate validation, leading to the inclusion of attacker-controlled remote files. This enables the execution of arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially allowing full system compromise. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for any organization using the affected Compo Manager version, as it provides a direct path to remote code execution without requiring authentication.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate database contents, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1059, which involves executing commands through remote access capabilities. Organizations using affected software must immediately address this vulnerability through patching or implementing compensating controls to prevent potential exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1126 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software to the latest version that addresses the input validation flaw. Until patches are applied, administrators should implement web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious requests containing malicious URL patterns. Input validation should be strengthened to reject any URLs that do not originate from trusted sources, and the application should be configured to use absolute paths for file inclusion operations rather than allowing dynamic URL parameters. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running web server processes with minimal required permissions, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution attacks.