CVE-2008-1645 in Php Spammanager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in body.php in phpSpamManager (phpSM) 0.53 beta allows remote attackers to read arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the filename parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1645 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the phpSpamManager 0.53 beta web application. This issue resides in the body.php script which processes user input without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate the filename parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths through the use of directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. This weakness enables unauthorized access to arbitrary local files on the server hosting the vulnerable application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the filename parameter in the body.php script, where the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into file operations without proper input validation or sanitization. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of input validation and file system access controls, where the application fails to implement proper access control mechanisms to restrict file operations to authorized directories.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the security posture of affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data stored on the same server. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers may be able to retrieve system files, application logs, or other sensitive artifacts that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected web application and potentially the entire server infrastructure.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. Attackers can simply construct malicious URLs containing directory traversal sequences to access files outside the intended directory structure. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the web application is accessible from untrusted networks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which describes data from local system, as it enables adversaries to extract sensitive information from the target system through unauthorized file access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the phpSpamManager application. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict input validation that filters or rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. Additionally, developers should implement proper access control measures that restrict file operations to predefined directories and implement proper path normalization techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental security controls that should be implemented throughout the application development lifecycle. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack.