CVE-2008-1751 in Ksemail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in index.php in Ksemail allow remote attackers to read arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) language and (2) lang parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1751 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Ksemail web application's index.php script. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before using them in file system operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the language and lang parameters within the application's request processing logic, creating an exploitable condition where remote attackers can manipulate these parameters to access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation within the affected parameters. When an attacker submits malicious input containing directory traversal sequences in either the language or lang parameters, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation, allowing the attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure application development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive local files on the affected server. Remote attackers can potentially read configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive information that may be stored within the server's file system. This access can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and further escalation of attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as unauthorized parties can gain access to information that should remain protected within the application's secure boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameter sanitization mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input validation that rejects or filters out directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application. This includes implementing whitelist validation for parameter values, employing proper path normalization techniques, and ensuring that all user-supplied inputs are validated against expected patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied by ensuring that the web application runs with minimal required permissions and that sensitive files are properly protected through appropriate access controls. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the ATT&CK framework's recommendations for preventing path traversal attacks, which emphasize input validation and secure file access controls as primary defensive measures.