CVE-2008-3117 in PHPmotion
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in update_profile.php in PHPmotion 2.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a .php file with a content type of (1) image/gif, (2) image/jpeg, or (3) image/pjpeg, then accessing it via a direct request to the file under pictures/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3117 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in PHPmotion 2.0 and earlier versions that fundamentally compromises application security through improper file validation mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the update_profile.php script which handles user profile updates and file uploads, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass security controls and execute malicious code on the target system. The flaw specifically targets the content type validation process where the application accepts files with image mimetypes but fails to properly verify the actual file content, allowing attackers to upload malicious PHP scripts disguised as image files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the weakness in the file upload validation process where the application relies solely on the Content-Type header sent by the client rather than performing comprehensive file type verification. Attackers can upload a PHP shell or malicious script with a .php extension but with a content type header set to image/gif, image/jpeg, or image/pjpeg, which the application accepts as valid image files. This misconfiguration creates a dangerous trust relationship between the application and the uploaded file, as the system treats the PHP file as an image due to the misleading content type header. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-434 as an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for Unsecured Credentials and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows authenticated users to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities on the web server hosting PHPmotion. Once a malicious file is uploaded, attackers can directly access it through the pictures/ directory, executing shell commands, establishing backdoors, or performing further attacks within the network. This vulnerability essentially transforms the legitimate file upload functionality into a weapon for privilege escalation and persistent access, enabling attackers to compromise the entire web application and potentially the underlying server infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require administrative privileges to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for applications that allow user registration and profile management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3117 must address both the immediate vulnerability and implement comprehensive security controls to prevent similar issues. Organizations should immediately upgrade to PHPmotion versions that have patched this vulnerability, as the original version is no longer supported and contains multiple security weaknesses. The primary technical fix involves implementing robust file validation that examines both the file extension, content type, and actual file content rather than relying on the Content-Type header alone. Security measures should include file type whitelisting, content verification using file signature checks, and proper file storage with restricted permissions. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization, using secure file upload libraries, and conducting regular security audits of file upload functionalities are essential defensive measures. The solution should also incorporate proper access controls and monitoring of file upload activities to detect suspicious behavior and prevent unauthorized code execution.