CVE-2008-3179 in phpDatingClub
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in website.php in Web 2 Business (W2B) phpDatingClub (aka Dating Club) 3.7 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 • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3179 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Web 2 Business phpDatingClub application version 3.7, specifically affecting the website.php script. This weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting improper input validation techniques. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize the page parameter, allowing malicious actors to craft requests containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) that can navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server filesystem.
This directory traversal vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which classifies improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw operates by exploiting the lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the page parameter handling logic, allowing attackers to manipulate the file inclusion process to access files that should remain restricted. The attack vector specifically targets the website.php script which likely incorporates user-supplied page parameters without sufficient validation, creating an opportunity for unauthorized file access and potential code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected server. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to retrieve database connection details, application configuration files, user credentials, and other sensitive information stored on the server. Additionally, the vulnerability may allow for privilege escalation or further compromise of the web application environment, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system control. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The primary defense involves filtering out or rejecting any input containing .. or similar traversal patterns before they can be used in file operations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation within the web application can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and prevent such attacks. The remediation process requires updating the website.php script to validate all user inputs and ensure that file inclusion operations are restricted to predefined, safe directories. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of web applications, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat landscape. Regular security auditing and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the application.