CVE-2008-2863 in Site Composer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple absolute path traversal vulnerabilities in eLineStudio Site Composer (ESC) 2.6 allow remote attackers to create or delete arbitrary directories via a full pathname in the inpCurrFolder parameter to (1) folderdel_.asp or (2) foldernew.asp in cms/assetmanager/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2863 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within eLineStudio Site Composer version 2.6, specifically affecting the content management system's asset manager functionality. This vulnerability resides in the folderdel_.asp and foldernew.asp scripts located within the cms/assetmanager/ directory structure, creating a significant security risk for web applications utilizing this software. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied path parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate system file paths through crafted requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the inpCurrFolder parameter, which when manipulated with absolute path references, enables unauthorized directory operations beyond the intended application scope.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the inpCurrFolder parameter in two distinct script files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary directory creation or deletion operations. When an attacker submits a maliciously crafted absolute path through the inpCurrFolder parameter to either folderdel_.asp or foldernew.asp, the application processes these requests without proper validation, effectively bypassing normal access controls and directory restrictions. This behavior directly violates security principles of input sanitization and privilege separation, allowing attackers to navigate outside the designated application directories and potentially access or modify system resources. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. Such flaws typically enable attackers to access files or directories that should normally be restricted, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple directory manipulation, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to create malicious directories, delete critical system folders, or potentially establish persistent access points within the web application's file structure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to perform these operations, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability can be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the privilege escalation and persistence tactics, specifically mapping to techniques involving directory traversal and file system manipulation. The potential for data exfiltration, system disruption, or further attack vector establishment makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations deploying eLineStudio Site Composer in production environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization measures, proper path restriction mechanisms, and comprehensive access control policies. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict parameter validation that prevents absolute path references from being processed through the inpCurrFolder parameter, ensuring all directory operations occur within predefined safe paths. Security measures should include input filtering that strips or rejects potentially dangerous path components, implementing proper authentication and authorization checks, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability's age and widespread nature suggest that organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of the software or migrating to more secure alternatives, as the original vendor may no longer provide security updates for this legacy system.