CVE-2008-4158 in CMS lite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in index.php in Zanfi CMS lite 1.2 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) flag and (2) inc parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4158 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Zanfi CMS lite 1.2 content management system. This issue stems from inadequate input validation in the index.php script where the flag and inc parameters fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences into these parameters, enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary local files on the server. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient validation of user inputs before they are processed in file system operations, creating opportunities for attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute malicious code. The weakness manifests specifically in how the application handles file inclusion paths without proper sanitization or canonicalization of input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-documented pattern that aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that include directory traversal sequences such as ../../etc/passwd or similar paths to access sensitive system files that should normally be restricted. When the vulnerable application processes these parameters in the index.php script, it fails to validate that the requested paths remain within the intended directory boundaries. This allows for arbitrary file inclusion attacks where the attacker can specify any local file path and potentially execute its contents if the application treats the included files as executable code. The vulnerability affects both flag and inc parameters, suggesting multiple entry points for exploitation and increasing the attack surface.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4158 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full system compromise. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to database credentials, configuration files, user authentication data, and other sensitive system information stored on the server. Depending on the server configuration and file permissions, attackers may also be able to upload and execute malicious files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can use this weakness to gain initial access through malicious file inclusion, or T1078 - Valid Accounts, by potentially accessing user credentials stored in accessible files. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the CMS is used for managing sensitive content or where the web server has elevated privileges, as the traversal can potentially access system-level files and configuration data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. This includes canonicalizing file paths, implementing strict whitelisting of allowed file paths, and ensuring that directory traversal sequences are properly rejected or neutralized. Organizations should also implement proper file access controls and privilege separation to limit the damage that can occur even if exploitation succeeds. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing directory traversal attacks. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this type of flaw remains common in legacy systems and improperly configured web applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks.