CVE-2008-3308 in YouTube Blog
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in cuenta/cuerpo.php in C. Desseno YouTube Blog (ytb) 0.1, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the base_archivo parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3308 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the C. Desseno YouTube Blog version 0.1 content management system. This security weakness specifically affects systems where the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, creating an exploitable condition that permits remote attackers to inject and execute malicious PHP code on the target server. The vulnerability is located within the cuenta/cuerpo.php script, which processes user input through the base_archivo parameter without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the base_archivo parameter, which is directly incorporated into the PHP include statement without proper input validation. When register_globals is enabled, the vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that get executed as PHP code during the inclusion process. This flaw aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an eval-like context, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The vulnerability essentially enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code on the server with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server. Once exploited, attackers can execute malicious code, upload additional malware, access sensitive data, modify content, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and underlying infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious payloads and maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3308 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals directive in the PHP configuration, which fundamentally eliminates the attack vector by preventing the automatic creation of global variables from external input. Additionally, developers should implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques, including the use of allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives set to off, and employing proper include functions with validated file paths. The system should also implement input filtering mechanisms to prevent URL injection attempts and utilize secure coding practices such as using require_once or include_once with predefined, validated file paths. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities throughout their web applications.