CVE-2008-2193 in ScorpNews
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in example.php in Thomas Gossmann ScorpNews 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the site parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2193 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the ScorpNews 2.0 content management system developed by Thomas Gossmann. This vulnerability exists within the example.php script and demonstrates a classic insecure direct object reference pattern that has been documented in various security frameworks including CWE-98 and CWE-88. The flaw arises from the application's improper handling of user-supplied input in the site parameter, which is directly incorporated into a require or include statement without adequate validation or sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the site parameter to the vulnerable example.php script. When the application processes this input, it attempts to include and execute the remote file specified in the URL, effectively allowing arbitrary PHP code execution on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP, and represents a privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged to gain complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised server environment. Once exploited, attackers can establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application, as well as potentially the availability of services if attackers choose to deploy malicious payloads that could cause system instability. Organizations running ScorpNews 2.0 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability has been identified in older versions of the software and represents a common pattern that has been extensively documented in security advisories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2193 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-supplied parameters from being directly used in file inclusion operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web server processes operate with minimal required permissions, and that remote file inclusion capabilities are disabled in PHP configurations. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other applications and ensure that proper security practices are implemented throughout their software development lifecycle. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.