CVE-2008-1696 in DaZPHPNews
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in makepost.php in DaZPHPNews 0.1-1, when register_globals is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the prefixdir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1696 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the DaZPHPNews 0.1-1 content management system. This weakness specifically manifests in the makepost.php script where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms through crafted directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability requires specific misconfigurations to be exploitable, namely the enabling of register_globals and the disabling of magic_quotes_gpc, which together create an environment where user-supplied input can directly influence server-side file operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the prefixdir parameter in makepost.php, where attackers can append .. (dot dot) sequences to navigate outside the intended directory structure. When register_globals is enabled, user input becomes automatically available as PHP global variables, while the absence of magic_quotes_gpc means that special characters are not automatically escaped, creating a perfect storm for path traversal attacks. This combination allows attackers to specify arbitrary local file paths that the application will then attempt to include and execute, potentially leading to remote code execution or sensitive data exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable server. According to CWE-22, this represents a classic path traversal vulnerability where insufficient input validation allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires only basic misconfigurations to be exploitable, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. Organizations running DaZPHPNews with these specific PHP configurations face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, data theft, or complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1696 focus on addressing the underlying PHP configuration issues and implementing proper input validation. The primary recommendation involves disabling register_globals in php.ini configuration files and enabling magic_quotes_gpc to automatically escape special characters in user input. Additionally, developers should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for remote code execution through web shells and T1566 for initial access through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls, file permission restrictions, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper PHP security configuration and input validation practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security recommendations for web application development.