CVE-2008-2648 in meBiblio
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in upload/uploader.html in meBiblio 0.4.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a .php file, then accessing it via a direct request to the files/ directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2648 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the meBiblio 0.4.7 web application, specifically within the upload/uploader.html component. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-434 which defines "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type" and falls within the broader category of insecure file handling practices that have been consistently identified as high-risk security weaknesses in web applications. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload malicious files directly to the server's file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the file upload functionality. When users attempt to upload files through the uploader.html interface, the application fails to properly verify the file type, content, or extensions before storing the uploaded files in the files/ directory. This lack of proper validation enables attackers to upload PHP files or other executable scripts that can be executed by the web server. The vulnerability specifically exploits the absence of file type checking, allowing attackers to upload files with .php extensions that contain malicious code, which can then be executed when accessed through direct HTTP requests to the files/ directory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a direct path to arbitrary code execution on the affected server. Once a malicious PHP file is successfully uploaded, attackers can execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, server reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and deployment of backdoors or additional malware. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server or prior authentication credentials.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution and Persistence. The ability to upload and execute arbitrary code represents a fundamental breach in the application's security model, allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can leverage the uploaded PHP files to execute shell commands. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive information and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper file upload validation controls and access restrictions. Organizations should implement strict file type validation that checks both file extensions and MIME types against a whitelist of approved file types. The application should employ content-based file validation to verify that uploaded files match their claimed file types, preventing attackers from disguising malicious files with legitimate extensions. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored outside the web root directory or configured with appropriate permissions that prevent direct execution. The files/ directory should be secured through proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to uploaded content. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. System administrators should also implement monitoring and logging of file upload activities to detect and respond to suspicious upload patterns.