CVE-2008-2820 in Open Azimyt CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in lang/lang-system.php in Open Azimyt CMS 0.22 minimal and 0.21 stable allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the lang parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2820 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Open Azimyt CMS 0.22 minimal and 0.21 stable versions. This issue resides in the lang/lang-system.php file where the application fails to properly validate user input passed through the lang parameter. The vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of file inclusion mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate the file path traversal using the .. (dot dot) sequence to navigate outside the intended directory structure. This weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, system compromise, or execution of malicious code. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Such flaws are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication, making them attractive targets for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences within the lang parameter value. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or validation, it inadvertently includes and executes local files that should remain inaccessible. The attack vector leverages the application's file inclusion functionality, which typically expects a specific language file to be loaded but instead receives a crafted path that resolves to arbitrary system files. This can lead to exposure of sensitive information such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files, and in some cases may enable remote code execution depending on the server configuration and file permissions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as successful exploitation may allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system through the included files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling full system compromise and persistent access. Attackers can exploit this flaw to read system configuration files, access user databases, or even upload and execute malicious payloads through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the CMS by undermining the security boundaries that should protect against unauthorized file access. Organizations running affected versions of Open Azimyt CMS face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited by automated scanning tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments with public-facing web applications. The lack of proper input validation in the lang parameter demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security design, where user-supplied data is directly used in file operations without adequate sanitization or access control measures. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices, as the issue could have been prevented through proper parameter validation and the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the affected CMS versions, as well as implementing input validation measures to prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized and validated before being used in file operations. The recommended approach includes implementing strict whitelisting of acceptable language parameters, using absolute paths instead of relative paths, and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal privileges and should not have write access to critical system directories. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious file access patterns, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of keeping all web applications updated with the latest security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies including web application firewalls and secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.