CVE-2008-3504 in mask PHP File Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in mask PHP File Manager (mPFM) before 2.3 has unknown impact and remote attack vectors related to "manipulation of cookies."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3504 affects the mask PHP File Manager (mPFM) version 2.3 and earlier, representing a security flaw that allows for potential manipulation of cookies within the application's authentication and session management mechanisms. This unspecified vulnerability exists in the cookie handling functionality of the file manager, which serves as a web-based interface for managing files on a server. The mPFM application typically provides users with a graphical interface to perform file operations such as uploading, downloading, deleting, and renaming files on a remote web server, making it a potentially attractive target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to file systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper cookie validation and handling within the mPFM application, which could enable attackers to manipulate session cookies to gain unauthorized access to file management functions. Cookies in web applications typically contain session identifiers or authentication tokens that validate user credentials and maintain persistent access to protected resources. When cookie manipulation is possible, attackers can potentially forge session tokens, impersonate legitimate users, or bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. The vulnerability's classification as "unspecified" suggests that the exact technical details of how cookie manipulation leads to the vulnerability were not fully documented at the time of reporting, but the implications for session hijacking and unauthorized access remain significant.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to file systems, as it could enable attackers to manipulate file permissions, execute arbitrary code through file uploads, or gain persistent access to sensitive server resources. The remote attack vectors associated with this vulnerability mean that an attacker does not need physical access to the server or local network to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access confidential data, or establish backdoors for continued unauthorized access. The implications are especially severe given that PHP file managers often have elevated privileges on servers, potentially allowing attackers to access or modify critical system files and databases.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of the mPFM application to version 2.3 or later where the issue has been resolved. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of file management interfaces to trusted users only, while monitoring for suspicious cookie manipulation patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which addresses session management flaws in web applications, and corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1566 for credential harvesting and T1078 for valid accounts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of all web applications, particularly those with file management capabilities, to identify similar session management vulnerabilities that could be exploited through cookie manipulation or other authentication bypass techniques.