CVE-2008-2041 in eGroupWare
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in eGroupWare before 1.4.004 have unspecified attack vectors and "grave" impact when the web server has write access to a directory under the web document root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2041 affects eGroupWare versions prior to 1.4.004, representing a critical security weakness that exploits the web server's write permissions within the document root directory. This flaw manifests as multiple unspecified vulnerabilities that can be leveraged by attackers to compromise the affected system. The severity classification as "grave" indicates the potential for significant damage when the web server process operates with write privileges to directories under the web document root, creating a dangerous attack surface that could lead to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of file operations within the eGroupWare application, particularly when the web server process has elevated privileges to modify files in directories accessible through the web interface. When a web server has write access to the document root, it creates a scenario where malicious actors can potentially upload and execute arbitrary code, manipulate application files, or gain persistent access to the system. This vulnerability operates under the principle of privilege escalation through web-based attacks, where the web server's elevated permissions become a vector for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2041 extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, modify application logic, or even gain administrative control over the entire system. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that multiple exploitation techniques may be possible, including but not limited to file upload vulnerabilities, directory traversal attacks, or code injection flaws. The combination of the application's version and the web server's write permissions creates a particularly dangerous environment where attackers can leverage these conditions to achieve their objectives with minimal detection.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (Redirect with Improper Validation), which describe the improper handling of file paths and directory access controls that can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized file operations. The attack surface is further expanded when considering the MITRE ATT&CK framework, where this vulnerability could map to techniques such as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers might use the compromised system to execute commands or establish persistent access using legitimate credentials.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to eGroupWare version 1.4.004 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these unspecified vulnerabilities. Additionally, system administrators should review and restrict web server write permissions to the document root directories, implementing the principle of least privilege to prevent the web server from having unnecessary write access to application files. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious file operations or unauthorized access attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no malicious files have been uploaded to the system. The remediation process should also include reviewing existing access controls and ensuring that all web applications are properly configured to minimize the risk of privilege escalation through web-based attacks.