CVE-2008-3031 in Simple PHP Agenda
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in Simple PHP Agenda 2.2.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3031 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Simple PHP Agenda 2.2.4 content management system, exposing systems to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script which processes user input through the page parameter without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly validate or filter user-supplied input, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths through the use of directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters. The vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Such attacks exploit the way applications handle file paths to access resources outside their intended directories, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or execution of arbitrary code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Simple PHP Agenda application directly incorporates user-provided input from the page parameter into file inclusion operations without proper input validation or sanitization. When an attacker submits a malicious payload containing directory traversal sequences, the application processes these sequences and attempts to include local files from unintended locations on the server. This creates a scenario where remote attackers can access files that should normally be restricted, including system configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary local file inclusion, meaning that an attacker can potentially execute any file that the web server process has read access to, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining complete control over the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3031 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent access. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations running outdated versions of Simple PHP Agenda, as these systems may be running with elevated privileges or contain sensitive data that could be accessed through this vulnerability. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish backdoors, exfiltrate data, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which involves using web shell techniques to maintain persistence and execute commands on compromised systems, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability for organizations that do not maintain current security patches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3031 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or filters out directory traversal sequences such as .., %2e%2e, or other encoded variants that could be used to manipulate file paths. The recommended approach involves using a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts predefined, safe values for the page parameter, rather than allowing arbitrary input. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation ensures that the web server process runs with minimal necessary permissions, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known patterns of directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping software components up to date, as Simple PHP Agenda 2.2.4 and earlier versions are no longer supported and lack security patches that would address this fundamental flaw. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure, as path traversal vulnerabilities remain a common attack vector in web applications.