CVE-2008-4319 in Php Filemanager
Summary
by MITRE
fileadmin.php in Libra File Manager (aka Libra PHP File Manager) 1.18 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass authentication, and read arbitrary files, modify arbitrary files, and list arbitrary directories, by inserting certain user and isadmin parameters in the query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4319 affects Libra File Manager version 1.18 and earlier, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that fundamentally compromises the security posture of the application. This issue resides within the fileadmin.php component which serves as the administrative interface for file management operations. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and authentication handling mechanisms that fail to properly verify user credentials before granting administrative privileges. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating query string parameters, specifically the user and isadmin variables, to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure authentication handling where the application relies on client-side parameter manipulation rather than server-side validation. When an attacker crafts a malicious request with specific user and isadmin parameters in the query string, the application fails to validate whether these parameters represent legitimate administrative credentials. This design flaw falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, where the system does not adequately verify the identity of users attempting to access privileged functions. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to impersonate administrators without proper authentication, creating a direct pathway to unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with comprehensive administrative privileges including the ability to read arbitrary files, modify arbitrary files, and list arbitrary directories. This represents a complete compromise of the file management system, enabling attackers to exfiltrate sensitive data, inject malicious code, or disrupt system operations entirely. The implications are particularly severe in web environments where file managers often have access to critical application files, configuration data, and user information. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it allows adversaries to gain elevated privileges through manipulated authentication parameters rather than legitimate account compromise.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such file management systems are exposed to untrusted networks. Attackers need only construct a properly formatted URL with manipulated parameters to gain full administrative control over the affected system. The lack of proper input sanitization and authentication verification creates a persistent risk that remains viable as long as the vulnerable version is deployed. Organizations should consider implementing immediate mitigations including patching to version 1.19 or later, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for suspicious authentication parameter usage. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to protect against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.