CVE-2008-2224 in SazCart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in SazCart 1.5.1, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) _saz[settings][site_dir] parameter to layouts/default/header.saz.php and the (2) _saz[settings][site_url] parameter to admin/alayouts/default/pages/login.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2224 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting SazCart version 1.5.1, specifically when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the application's improper handling of user-supplied input within critical system paths. The flaw exists in the way the application processes configuration parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are subsequently included and executed as PHP code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the dangerous register_globals feature, which automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and Cookie data, creating an expanded attack surface for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific parameter names within the application's request handling process. The first vector targets the _saz[settings][site_dir] parameter within the layouts/default/header.saz.php file, while the second vector exploits the _saz[settings][site_url] parameter in the admin/alayouts/default/pages/login.php file. Both locations demonstrate poor input validation and sanitization practices where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper security checks. When register_globals is enabled, these parameters become accessible as global variables, making it trivial for attackers to inject malicious URLs that point to remote code repositories. This creates a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable server, as the PHP interpreter processes the included remote files as legitimate PHP code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, establish persistent access, and exfiltrate sensitive information from the affected server. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as it only requires access to the application's web interface. Organizations using SazCart 1.5.1 with register_globals enabled face significant risk of unauthorized access, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also poses a threat to data integrity and confidentiality, as attackers can manipulate the application's behavior to perform unauthorized operations and access restricted resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2224 must address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying security misconfigurations that enable exploitation. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals PHP configuration directive, which fundamentally eliminates one of the attack vectors by preventing automatic creation of global variables from user input. Additionally, comprehensive input validation and sanitization should be implemented throughout the application to ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being used in file inclusion operations. The application should implement strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing URL schemes or external references. Security patches should be applied to upgrade to a supported version of SazCart that addresses these vulnerabilities, while also implementing proper web application firewall rules to block suspicious requests containing potentially malicious URL patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-98 and CWE-88 categories, representing improper input validation and file inclusion issues, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities.