CVE-2008-4329 in openengine
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in cms/system/openengine.php in openEngine 2.0 beta4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the oe_classpath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4329 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the openEngine content management system version 2.0 beta4 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the cms/system/openengine.php file where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. The specific parameter affected is oe_classpath, which when manipulated by an attacker can lead to arbitrary code execution on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution, with direct implications for system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the oe_classpath parameter to the vulnerable openengine.php script. The application processes this input without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing the attacker to specify any remote URL that contains malicious PHP code. When the web server attempts to include this remote file, the PHP interpreter executes the malicious code with the privileges of the web application, potentially enabling full system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code due to insufficient input validation. The attack vector can be classified as remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify website content, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects all systems running openEngine 2.0 beta4 or earlier versions, creating a widespread attack surface across numerous web applications. Organizations using this CMS version face significant risk of unauthorized access, data loss, and potential regulatory compliance violations. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services, T1059 for execution of commands, and T1078 for valid accounts usage, demonstrating the multi-layered threat profile that such vulnerabilities present.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4329 should prioritize immediate patching of affected openEngine installations to version 2.0 beta5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations, including the use of allowlists for valid file paths and proper URL validation. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar insecure file inclusion patterns in other applications and systems. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unusual file inclusion activities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been fully addressed without introducing new issues, following the principle of least privilege for web application configurations to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.