CVE-2008-2227 in Forum Rank System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in PHP-Fusion Forum Rank System 6 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the settings[locale] parameter to (1) forum.php and (2) profile.php in infusions/rank_system/. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2227 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the PHP-Fusion Forum Rank System version 6, exposing applications to remote code execution through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically affects two key files within the infusions/rank_system/ directory structure, namely forum.php and profile.php, where the settings[locale] parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input containing directory traversal sequences. The flaw stems from the application's inability to adequately filter or validate the locale parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file inclusion paths through the use of .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse upward through the directory structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic directory traversal pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which catalogs improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious path sequences into the settings[locale] parameter, enabling them to access arbitrary local files on the server filesystem. This capability extends beyond simple file reading to potentially allow full remote code execution, as demonstrated by similar vulnerabilities in web application frameworks where directory traversal leads to arbitrary file inclusion. The attack vector operates through HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable PHP scripts, where the .. sequences bypass normal file access controls and allow inclusion of files outside the intended directory scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, creating substantial risk for organizations running affected PHP-Fusion installations. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute malicious code on the target server. The vulnerability's presence in core application files like forum.php and profile.php means that successful exploitation could compromise user data, session information, and potentially provide attackers with elevated privileges within the application environment. This type of vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system, and T1083 for file and directory discovery, as it allows for systematic exploration of the file system through the traversal mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2227 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected PHP-Fusion Forum Rank System version 6, as the vulnerability has been known since 2008 and likely has available remediation solutions through official updates or security patches. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures that strictly filter or reject any input containing directory traversal sequences, particularly those involving .. characters. The implementation of proper access controls and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by blocking suspicious requests containing traversal sequences. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and attempts to access system directories that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in application code.