CVE-2008-2638 in 1-book
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in guestbook.php in 1Book 1.0.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary PHP code via the message parameter in an HTML webform, which is written to data.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2638 represents a critical static code injection flaw in the 1Book guestbook application version 1.0.1 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the guestbook.php script which processes user input through an HTML webform interface. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data, specifically the message parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code directly into the application's processing pipeline. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution through a simple web form submission, making it accessible to attackers without requiring any special privileges or local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the 1Book application. When users submit messages through the guestbook form, the application directly incorporates the message parameter into the data.php file without any sanitization measures. This creates a classic code injection scenario where attacker-controlled input becomes executable code within the web application context. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with the broader category of injection flaws that represent one of the most prevalent threats in web application security. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices where user input is treated as trusted content rather than potentially malicious data requiring proper validation and sanitization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using the 1Book guestbook application. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques - a simple HTTP POST request containing malicious PHP code can result in remote code execution. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions such as creating backdoors, stealing database credentials, accessing other system resources, or launching further attacks against internal networks. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution as it can serve as a foothold for more extensive compromise operations, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the affected system.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2638 must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security practices within the application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the 1Book application if available, as this represents the most effective solution to eliminate the code injection vulnerability. When upgrading is not immediately possible, implementing input validation and sanitization measures becomes critical, including the use of allowlists for acceptable characters, proper encoding of user input, and implementing proper output escaping techniques. The application should be configured to reject or sanitize any PHP code-like patterns in user submissions, and administrators should implement proper file permissions and access controls to limit the damage potential of any successful exploitation. Additionally, network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, though these should complement rather than replace proper application-level fixes. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of input validation at all levels of application development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through web shells and malicious code injection.