CVE-2008-1506 in PEEL
Summary
by MITRE
PEEL, possibly 3.x and earlier, allows remote attackers to obtain configuration information via a direct request to phpinfo.php, which calls the phpinfo function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1506 affects PEEL content management systems version 3.x and earlier, presenting a critical information disclosure risk that enables remote attackers to access sensitive configuration data. This flaw stems from the improper handling of direct requests to the phpinfo.php file within the application's codebase, which executes the phpinfo function without adequate access controls or authentication checks. The phpinfo function in php environments is designed to display detailed information about the php configuration, including server details, loaded extensions, environment variables, and potentially sensitive system information that could aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where an attacker can bypass normal application logic by directly accessing a resource that should remain protected.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of Information Exposure and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access, as the disclosure of php configuration information can reveal critical system details that may be leveraged for further exploitation. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the phpinfo output can reveal database connection strings, file paths, server software versions, and other sensitive configuration parameters that attackers could use to identify additional attack vectors. When attackers gain access to these configuration details, they can potentially map the application's architecture, identify vulnerable components, and plan more targeted attacks against the system infrastructure.
The security implications of CVE-2008-1506 are particularly severe because phpinfo output typically contains comprehensive system information including server version details, loaded php modules, configuration directives, and potentially sensitive environment variables. This information can be exploited to perform version-specific attacks against known vulnerabilities in the php environment or server components, and may reveal directory structures that could be used for path traversal or other filesystem-related attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and access control mechanisms within the PEEL application, where the system fails to properly authenticate or authorize requests to administrative or diagnostic resources.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including removing or securing access to phpinfo.php files, implementing proper authentication controls for diagnostic resources, and conducting comprehensive security audits to identify similar insecure direct object references throughout their applications. The remediation approach should involve ensuring that all diagnostic and configuration files are protected by appropriate access controls and that direct resource access is properly validated. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to prevent information disclosure attacks that can serve as precursors to more serious security breaches.