CVE-2008-4151 in CYASK
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in collect.php in CYASK 3.x allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the neturl parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The CVE-2008-4151 vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal flaw in the CYASK 3.x web application framework, specifically affecting the collect.php component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing file system operations. The flaw manifests when the application accepts the neturl parameter containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e, which are commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. The vulnerability exists within the application's file handling logic where user input directly influences file path resolution without proper sanitization or validation checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious URLs containing directory traversal sequences in the neturl parameter. When the collect.php script processes these requests, it fails to validate or sanitize the input, allowing the traversal sequences to be interpreted by the underlying file system. This enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server's file system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can potentially allow access to sensitive system files, configuration files, database files, or even system binaries that should remain protected from external access. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring authentication or special privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations using CYASK 3.x applications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information including database credentials, application configuration files, source code, and other confidential data that may be stored on the same server. The vulnerability can also potentially lead to further compromise through information disclosure that might reveal system architecture, application logic, or other attack vectors. In a broader context, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or web-based attacks. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4151 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. Organizations should immediately patch or upgrade to versions of CYASK that address this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released security updates to resolve the directory traversal issue. Input validation should include strict filtering of directory traversal sequences, implementing whitelisting approaches for file path parameters, and using secure file access methods that prevent path resolution outside intended directories. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper access controls, restricting file system permissions for web applications, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious traversal sequences. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and directory traversal attempts in web server logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, where all user-supplied data should be treated as potentially malicious and validated accordingly.