CVE-2008-1988 in EncapsGallery
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the file_upload function in core/misc.class.php in EncapsGallery 2.0.2 allows remote authenticated administrators to upload and execute arbitrary PHP files by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in the rwx_gallery directory. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1988 represents a critical security flaw in EncapsGallery 2.0.2 that stems from improper input validation and file handling within the file_upload function located in core/misc.class.php. This unrestricted file upload vulnerability specifically targets authenticated administrators, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid administrative credentials to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability allows for the execution of arbitrary PHP code through a carefully crafted file upload process, which constitutes a severe breach of the application's security model and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the file_upload function failing to properly validate file extensions or content types during the upload process. When an authenticated administrator uploads a file with an executable extension such as .php, .phtml, or similar, the system accepts the file without sufficient sanitization checks. The uploaded file is then stored in the rwx_gallery directory, which is accessible via direct web requests. This misconfiguration creates a path traversal and code execution scenario where an attacker can simply request the uploaded file directly through the web server, causing the PHP code to execute within the context of the web application's privileges. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which is classified as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using EncapsGallery 2.0.2, as it provides a clear path for remote code execution that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Once exploited, attackers can upload backdoor scripts, web shells, or other malicious payloads that can be used to maintain persistent access, escalate privileges, or conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised environment. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and the ability to use the vulnerable system as a launch point for attacking other systems within the network. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how the vulnerability can be used to establish persistent access and execute commands on the target system.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper file validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application. Organizations should enforce strict file extension filtering that rejects executable file types and implement content-type validation to prevent the upload of malicious files. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored outside the web root directory or with appropriate access controls to prevent direct execution. The application should also implement proper input validation and output encoding to prevent the execution of uploaded code. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload activities and unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code review and security testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other parts of the application, particularly in areas related to file handling and user input processing.