CVE-2008-2966 in JaxUltraBB
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in viewprofile.php in JaxUltraBB 2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the user parameter. party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2966 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the JaxUltraBB 2.0 bulletin board system and earlier versions. This security weakness resides in the viewprofile.php script which fails to properly validate user input parameters, specifically the user parameter that handles party information. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the application's file handling mechanisms by injecting directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input sanitization and access control enforcement within the web application's core functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious user parameter containing directory traversal sequences to the viewprofile.php endpoint. When the application processes this input without proper validation, it attempts to access local files on the server using the provided path components. This allows unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially user information stored on the web server. The attack vector specifically targets the user parameter that handles party information, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate application functionality to gain access to restricted resources. The vulnerability enables attackers to read arbitrary local files that should normally be protected from external access, potentially exposing database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with significant access to the underlying system infrastructure. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access not only user profile information but also system configuration files, database connection details, and potentially other sensitive resources. This weakness creates an entry point for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, persistent backdoor installation, and further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability affects all versions of JaxUltraBB up to and including version 2.0, indicating a long-standing issue that was never properly addressed in the application's security architecture. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data loss.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file handling operations. Developers should employ whitelist validation techniques to ensure that only expected and safe input values are processed by the application. Additionally, the application should enforce strict access controls and implement proper file path resolution mechanisms that prevent traversal beyond designated directories. Security measures should include input parameter filtering, directory restriction enforcement, and comprehensive logging of file access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development. This issue aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing), as attackers can use this vulnerability to gather intelligence and potentially gain further system access. Regular security assessments and code reviews are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future application versions.