CVE-2008-2884 in Rss Aggregator
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in display.php in RSS-aggregator allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the path parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2884 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the RSS-aggregator application's display.php component. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution, specifically manifesting as a php remote file inclusion vulnerability that enables attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is used to construct file paths, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the path parameter to include external URLs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation in the display.php script, which accepts a path parameter that is directly used to include files without adequate sanitization. When an attacker provides a malicious URL in the path parameter, the application attempts to include and execute the remote file as if it were a local PHP script, effectively granting the attacker remote code execution capabilities on the vulnerable system. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-88 due to improper neutralization of argument separators in shell commands and CWE-94 due to improper control of generation of code, which aligns with the execution of arbitrary code through file inclusion mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deploy web shells, exfiltrate database contents, modify application behavior, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process user input or rely on external data sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2884 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent malicious input from being processed as file paths. Organizations should disable remote file inclusion features in PHP configurations by setting allow_url_fopen and allow_url_include directives to off, and implement strict input validation that rejects any input containing external URL schemes. Additionally, the application should employ proper parameter validation and use of whitelisting mechanisms to ensure only predetermined, safe file paths are accepted. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege as outlined in the ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of web application security and the execution of malicious code through insecure file handling mechanisms.