CVE-2008-1371 in Drake
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in install/index.php in Drake CMS 0.4.11 RC8 allows remote attackers to read and execute arbitrary files via a full pathname in the d_root parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The CVE-2008-1371 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw in the Drake CMS 0.4.11 RC8 content management system. This vulnerability exists within the install/index.php script where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input submitted through the d_root parameter. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file system access by providing a full pathname, potentially enabling them to read arbitrary files or execute malicious code on the target system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that permit direct path manipulation without proper authorization checks or sanitization processes.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as an absolute path traversal attack where the d_root parameter accepts user-supplied file paths without proper validation. When a malicious actor submits a crafted full pathname through this parameter, the application processes the input directly without sanitizing or verifying the path against legitimate system locations. This creates an opportunity for attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside of the intended application directory structure. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal issue that falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other resources that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential system compromise and unauthorized code execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read system configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data that may contain authentication tokens or other critical information. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary files through path traversal can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access or deploy additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects the installation process of the CMS, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during system setup or upgrade procedures when administrators may be less vigilant about input validation. This represents a significant threat to web application security and can result in data breaches, service disruption, and potential compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1371 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation to reject or sanitize any input containing absolute paths or directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\\. The recommended approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts predetermined safe paths or using secure file access libraries that prevent path traversal attacks. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal privileges and restricted file system access rights to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the Drake CMS to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original version is no longer supported. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional detection and prevention capabilities, though they should not be relied upon as the sole defense mechanism. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications and systems.