CVE-2008-3384 in Interact
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in help/help.php in Interact Learning Community Environment Interact 2.4.1 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) module and (2) file parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3384 affects the Interact Learning Community Environment version 2.4.1, specifically targeting the help/help.php script within the application's help system. This represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms and execute arbitrary local code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that control the module and file inclusion paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the module and file parameters within the help/help.php script. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences into these parameters, allowing them to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside the intended directory boundaries. This directory traversal capability enables attackers to include local files that should normally be restricted, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or even the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This represents a severe security risk that can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access. The vulnerability affects the web application's file inclusion mechanism, which is a common attack vector that aligns with CWE-22, specifically indicating a weakness in directory traversal or path traversal attacks. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices. The vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in remote services. The attack chain typically involves reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable application, followed by crafting malicious payloads that exploit the directory traversal mechanism to access sensitive files or execute commands. Organizations running Interact 2.4.1 are particularly vulnerable as this version has known security flaws that have been addressed in subsequent releases.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the affected application to the latest version that contains proper input validation and sanitization. System administrators should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and server-side validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regression issues while effectively addressing the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logs of file access patterns to identify anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.