CVE-2008-3071 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in inc/class_language.php in MyBB before 1.2.13 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to the $language variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3071 represents a directory traversal flaw within the MyBB forum software's language class implementation. This issue resides in the inc/class_language.php file and affects versions prior to 1.2.13, making it a significant security concern for installations that have not been properly updated. The vulnerability specifically involves the $language variable which is manipulated in a manner that could potentially allow unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure. Directory traversal vulnerabilities typically occur when applications fail to properly validate user input before using it in file system operations, creating opportunities for attackers to access sensitive system resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the scope of CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the intended directory structure by manipulating input data to traverse the file system. The attack vector in this case involves the manipulation of the $language variable within the language handling mechanism of MyBB, which is typically used to load language-specific files for user interface localization. When this variable is not properly sanitized or validated, an attacker can potentially inject malicious path sequences that bypass normal access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it could potentially lead to information disclosure, remote code execution, or system compromise depending on the specific implementation details and server configuration. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other system files that should remain protected. The unknown impact and attack vectors mentioned in the original description suggest that the full scope of potential exploitation methods was not initially documented, but such vulnerabilities typically enable attackers to read arbitrary files on the server, potentially including source code files that may contain sensitive information or database connection details. This could result in complete system compromise if the attacker can access configuration files containing database credentials or other sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3071 primarily involve immediate patching of affected MyBB installations to version 1.2.13 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied data, particularly in components that handle file operations or path manipulation. The implementation of proper access controls and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other software components. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and network segmentation should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the application development lifecycle.