CVE-2008-1534 in PowerPHPBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in PowerPHPBoard 1.00b allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) settings[footer] parameter to footer.inc.php and the (2) settings[header] parameter to header.inc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1534 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within PowerPHPBoard version 1.00b, a web-based bulletin board system. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the application's handling of user-supplied parameters, specifically affecting the settings[footer] and settings[header] parameters within the footer.inc.php and header.inc.php files respectively. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence commonly used to navigate directory structures, thereby enabling unauthorized access to local system files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper sanitization of user input in the web application's configuration handling routines. When the application processes the settings[footer] and settings[header] parameters, it fails to adequately validate or sanitize the input before using it in file inclusion operations. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious path sequences containing .. characters that traverse up the directory tree, potentially accessing sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files that should remain protected from external access. The vulnerability aligns with 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 severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary local files on the target system. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's directory structure. Attackers could potentially access database configuration files containing credentials, system configuration files, or even system binaries, depending on the server's file permissions and the application's directory structure. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers might gain elevated system access through the execution of local files, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in web application security.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data for file operations. The flaw violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the issue of path traversal vulnerabilities that have been consistently identified as high-risk security flaws. Organizations implementing similar web-based systems should consider implementing proper input validation, using allowlists for file inclusion operations, and ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous sanitization before being processed in any file system operations. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation may involve the execution of malicious code through compromised file inclusion mechanisms. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected versions, implementing proper input validation, using secure coding practices, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.