CVE-2008-2195 in DeluxeBB
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in admincp.php in DeluxeBB 1.2 and earlier allows remote authenticated administrators to inject arbitrary PHP code into logs/cp.php via the URI.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2195 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the DeluxeBB 1.2 content management system that affects the administrative control panel. This issue arises from improper input validation and sanitization within the admincp.php file, which processes user-supplied data without adequate security measures. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated administrators who possess administrative privileges, making it a privilege escalation concern rather than a straightforward remote code execution vector. The flaw allows attackers with valid administrative credentials to manipulate the URI parameter and inject malicious PHP code that gets executed within the logs/cp.php file, creating a persistent backdoor mechanism within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into system logs or configuration files. When an authenticated administrator accesses certain administrative functions, the system processes the URI parameter and writes it directly to the logs/cp.php file without adequate filtering or encoding. This creates a classic code injection scenario where malicious payloads can be stored and later executed within the context of the web server process. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-94, which describes the execution of arbitrary code due to insufficient input sanitization. The injection occurs in a file that is likely executed during normal administrative operations, making the attack particularly dangerous as it can persist across system restarts and remain undetected for extended periods.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers who have already compromised administrative credentials to escalate their privileges and maintain persistent access to the compromised system. The injection occurs within the logs/cp.php file, which suggests that the malicious code will be executed whenever the system processes administrative requests or generates logs. This creates a stealthy attack vector that can bypass traditional security monitoring systems since the injected code appears to be legitimate system activity. The vulnerability can be exploited to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation to root or system-level access, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The attack requires only an authenticated administrative session, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to vulnerabilities requiring initial access through public-facing interfaces.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate code-level fixes and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input sanitization and validation within the admincp.php file, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or filtered before being written to log files or configuration components. This approach directly addresses the underlying CWE-94 vulnerability by preventing code injection attacks through proper data handling practices. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, application code, and database interactions to provide defense in depth. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, particularly in areas where user input is processed and stored. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular credential rotation, and monitoring of administrative activities can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, which categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and persistence techniques that attackers use to maintain access to compromised systems.