CVE-2008-3194 in pluck
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in data/inc/themes/predefined_variables.php in pluck 4.5.1 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) langpref, (2) file, (3) blogpost, or (4) cat parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3194 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting pluck version 4.5.1, specifically within the file data/inc/themes/predefined_variables.php. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them in file inclusion operations. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the langpref, file, blogpost, or cat parameters by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling them to traverse the file system hierarchy and access arbitrary local files on the server. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities fall 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 technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user input without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal file access controls. When the application encounters a .. sequence in any of the vulnerable parameters, it interprets this as a request to navigate up one directory level in the file system path. This enables attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially including sensitive system files, configuration files, or other restricted resources. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution, as attackers can include and execute local files that they would not normally have access to, effectively elevating their privileges within the application environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3194 extends beyond simple file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. This vulnerability can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers may exploit this flaw to read configuration files containing database credentials, application secrets, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability also enables attackers to upload and execute malicious files, creating persistent backdoors or establishing reverse shells for continued access. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant foothold that can be used to escalate privileges and expand their control over the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The most effective approach involves removing or escaping special characters such as .. from user-supplied input before processing. Additionally, applications should employ proper access controls and restrict file inclusion operations to predefined, safe directories. The implementation of the principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that applications run with minimal required permissions and cannot access sensitive system files. Security measures should include input filtering at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and application-level validation. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security audits to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities that may exist in legacy applications. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for execution through command and script interpreters, while the T1083 technique applies to the discovery of files and directories that attackers may leverage to escalate privileges and maintain access.