CVE-2008-2192 in IT!CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in box/minichat/boxpop.php in IT!CMS (aka itcms) 1.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into box/MiniChat/data/shouts.php via the shout parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2192 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the IT!CMS 1.9 content management system, specifically affecting the box/minichat/boxpop.php component. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the shout parameter, which is subsequently processed and written to the box/MiniChat/data/shouts.php file without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the CMS framework. When a user submits a message through the MiniChat functionality, the shout parameter is directly incorporated into the target PHP file without any sanitization measures. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and executed as legitimate PHP code, effectively bypassing normal security controls and access restrictions. The vulnerability manifests as a classic code injection vector that allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges, access sensitive system files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the underlying server, extract confidential information, modify content, or even use the compromised system as a platform for further attacks against other networked systems. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can target vulnerable installations from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected IT!CMS version, as the vendor has likely released security updates addressing this specific flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, employ output encoding techniques to prevent malicious code execution, and establish strict file permissions to limit write access to sensitive directories. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which categorizes improper control of generation of code, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP code injection, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input sanitization and secure coding practices throughout the application lifecycle. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious activity related to this specific attack vector.