CVE-2008-2520 in BigACE
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in BigACE 2.4, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) GLOBALS[_BIGACE][DIR][addon] parameter to (a) addon/smarty/plugins/function.captcha.php and (b) system/classes/sql/AdoDBConnection.php; and the (2) GLOBALS[_BIGACE][DIR][admin] parameter to (c) item_information.php and (d) jstree.php in system/application/util/, and (e) system/admin/plugins/menu/menuTree/plugin.php, different vectors than CVE-2006-4423.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2520 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting BigACE 2.4 content management system when the register_globals PHP configuration parameter is enabled. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically targeting the GLOBALS array manipulation. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious URLs into specific parameters, enabling arbitrary code execution on the target server. The vulnerability affects multiple files including addon/smarty/plugins/function.captcha.php, system/classes/sql/AdoDBConnection.php, item_information.php, jstree.php, and system/admin/plugins/menu/menuTree/plugin.php, demonstrating the widespread nature of the insecure parameter handling across the application's codebase.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of PHP's GLOBALS superglobal array when register_globals is enabled, a dangerous configuration that automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and cookie data. Attackers can craft malicious requests that inject URLs into the GLOBALS[_BIGACE][DIR][addon] and GLOBALS[_BIGACE][DIR][admin] parameters, which are then processed by the vulnerable scripts. When register_globals is enabled, these injected URLs become accessible as global variables, allowing attackers to include and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote servers. This creates a direct path for remote code execution, as demonstrated by the specific file inclusion vectors targeting different application components including addon plugins, database connection classes, and administrative interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2520 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, server compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects critical system components including database connections and administrative functions, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on BigACE for content management. Organizations using this vulnerable version without proper input validation and with dangerous PHP configurations face significant risk of complete system compromise, data loss, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential persistence mechanisms and privilege escalation opportunities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2520 must address both the immediate exploitation vectors and underlying architectural issues. The primary recommendation is to disable the register_globals PHP configuration parameter, which eliminates the core vulnerability condition. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization across all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The application should employ secure coding practices such as whitelisting allowed values, using absolute paths for file operations, and implementing proper access controls. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious parameter injection attempts, and regularly update to patched versions of BigACE. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) and follows ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) for threat modeling purposes.