CVE-2008-4187 in ProActive CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in ProActive CMS allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the template parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4187 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the ProActive CMS content management system, specifically affecting the index.php script. This weakness enables malicious actors to access files outside the intended directory structure through manipulation of the template parameter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that exploit the web application's file handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes the template parameter without adequate validation or sanitization measures. When a user submits a request containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot), the application fails to properly restrict file access paths, allowing the attacker to navigate to arbitrary directories on the server filesystem. This flaw typically arises from the use of insecure file operations where user input is directly concatenated into file paths without proper filtering or normalization. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other system resources that should remain protected. In the context of web application security, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory listing and file access techniques. The potential for privilege escalation exists when attackers can access files containing administrative credentials or system configuration data that could be used to gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4187 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures at multiple levels of the application architecture. The most effective approach involves proper parameter validation that rejects or normalizes directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application. Security controls should include implementing a whitelist approach for template parameters, using absolute path resolution, and ensuring that all user-supplied input undergoes strict sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious traversal patterns, while maintaining regular security updates and patches for the ProActive CMS platform. Additionally, principle of least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the damage that can be caused even if such vulnerabilities are exploited. The remediation process requires comprehensive code review to identify all instances where file operations occur, ensuring that proper path validation is implemented consistently throughout the application.