CVE-2008-3365 in Pixelpost
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in Pixelpost 1.7.1 on Windows, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the language_full parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3365 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Pixelpost version 1.7.1 running on Windows systems with register_globals enabled. This security weakness resides within the index.php script and specifically targets the language_full parameter handling mechanism. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices that fail to properly restrict file path manipulation attempts, creating an exploitable condition where remote attackers can manipulate the application's file inclusion logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the language_full parameter to include directory traversal sequences using .. (dot dot) notation. When register_globals is enabled on the target system, this creates a dangerous condition where user-supplied input becomes directly available as PHP global variables. Attackers can craft malicious requests that traverse the file system upward from the intended directory, potentially accessing sensitive files such as configuration databases, system credentials, or other restricted resources. The vulnerability specifically affects Windows environments due to differences in path handling and file system semantics between operating systems, making it particularly dangerous in Windows-hosted web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it enables arbitrary code execution capabilities when combined with appropriate file inclusion patterns. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The vulnerability affects the core application functionality by allowing unauthorized access to the file system, which can result in exposure of sensitive application data, modification of critical application files, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The security implications are particularly severe given that register_globals was deprecated in PHP 5.3.0 and removed in PHP 5.4.0, indicating this vulnerability exists in legacy systems that may not receive security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3365 require immediate remediation actions including disabling register_globals in the PHP configuration, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and applying the latest security patches from Pixelpost developers. Organizations should also implement proper file inclusion practices using whitelisting mechanisms or absolute path validation to prevent directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious code. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify all applications running with register_globals enabled and ensure that proper security configurations are implemented across all web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.