CVE-2008-2028 in miniBB
Summary
by MITRE
miniBB 2.2, and possibly earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to obtain the full path via a direct request to the glang parameter in a registernew action to index.php, which leaks the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2028 affects miniBB version 2.2 and potentially earlier versions, specifically when the PHP configuration setting register_globals is enabled. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the full server path through error messages generated by the application. The vulnerability manifests when attackers send a direct request to the glang parameter within a registernew action to index.php, causing the system to reveal sensitive path information in error messages.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and error handling within the miniBB application's parameter processing mechanism. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from request parameters, which creates dangerous conditions for applications that do not properly sanitize or validate input. The glang parameter in the registernew action specifically fails to validate user input, allowing malicious actors to inject crafted requests that trigger error messages containing the complete server path. This path leakage occurs because the application does not properly escape or sanitize the parameter before using it in error reporting functions, directly exposing the file system structure to remote attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with crucial information for further exploitation. The leaked full path enables adversaries to understand the application's directory structure, file locations, and potentially identify other vulnerable components within the system. This information can be leveraged for directory traversal attacks, file inclusion vulnerabilities, or to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific files or components within the application's structure. The vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a roadmap for the application's internal architecture, making subsequent exploitation much more likely and successful.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-470 (Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Code) categories, representing a classic case of information disclosure through error handling. The ATT&CK framework would classify this under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and potentially T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as attackers could use the discovered path information to plan more targeted attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor secure coding practices related to input sanitization and error message generation, which are fundamental requirements in secure application development.
The primary mitigation strategy involves disabling the register_globals PHP configuration setting, which is considered a critical security measure for all PHP applications. Additionally, developers should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all parameters, particularly those used in error handling contexts. The application should be updated to version 2.3 or later, which includes fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper error handling that does not expose system paths or sensitive information in error messages. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability pattern. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications, ensuring that error messages are properly sanitized and that input validation is consistently applied across all parameters.