CVE-2008-1755 in World of Phaos
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the showSource function in showSource.php in World of Phaos 4.0.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1755 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the World of Phaos 4.0.1 web application framework. This security weakness resides in the showSource function implementation within the showSource.php file, which processes user-supplied file parameters without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the file parameter through directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, allowing unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of input validation and access control, creating a pathway for attackers to potentially extract sensitive information including configuration files, source code, and other confidential data stored on the web server.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability manifests due to insufficient filtering of user input in the showSource.php script where the file parameter is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization. The absence of proper path validation mechanisms means that malicious actors can append directory traversal sequences to access files outside the intended directory scope. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests that include the malicious traversal sequences, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to execute successfully.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access database configuration files containing credentials, application source code revealing implementation details, and system configuration files that might expose internal network structures. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network privileges to perform the attack, making it particularly concerning for publicly accessible web applications. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it represents an easily exploitable vulnerability that can be leveraged during initial access phases of an attack campaign. The potential for privilege escalation exists if the application runs with elevated permissions, as attackers might gain access to system-level files and sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1755 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures within the affected application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input filtering that removes or encodes directory traversal sequences before processing user-supplied file parameters. Organizations should implement a whitelist-based approach where only pre-approved files or directories are accessible through the showSource function, rather than allowing arbitrary file access. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal necessary privileges and implement proper access controls to limit the damage that could occur even if the vulnerability is exploited. Security patches or updates should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as World of Phaos 4.0.1 is an outdated version that likely contains multiple other security weaknesses. System administrators should also implement network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, while conducting thorough security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation efforts should follow the principle of least privilege and include comprehensive logging of file access operations to detect unauthorized attempts to access system resources.