CVE-2008-4331 in phpOCS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in library/pagefunctions.inc.php in phpOCS 0.1 beta3 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the act parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4331 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting phpOCS version 0.1 beta3 and earlier installations. This security weakness exists within the library/pagefunctions.inc.php component of the phpOCS web application framework, which is designed for network inventory and asset management. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes user-supplied input through the act parameter in the index.php script, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms and execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the phpOCS application architecture. When attackers submit malicious input containing .. (dot dot) sequences through the act parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in file inclusion operations. This allows the attacker to traverse the directory structure and access files outside the intended application scope. The flaw operates at the core level of file handling, where the application directly incorporates user-supplied parameters into file path resolution without adequate security checks or boundary enforcement.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing phpOCS for network management and inventory tracking. Remote attackers who exploit this directory traversal vulnerability can potentially access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, system files, and other confidential data stored on the server. The ability to execute arbitrary local files means that attackers could gain full control over the affected system, leading to complete compromise of the network inventory management platform and potentially broader network infiltration. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the targeted system, making it a high-priority security concern for any organization relying on phpOCS.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This classification indicates the fundamental flaw in how the application handles file paths and validates user input. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access, as attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code and potentially obtain sensitive credentials. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the affected system. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and application updates to address this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors seeking to compromise their network inventory management systems.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and conduct further reconnaissance activities within the network environment. The lack of proper input validation creates a fundamental security gap that undermines the integrity of the entire phpOCS platform and potentially exposes sensitive network information to unauthorized parties. Given the widespread use of such inventory management tools in enterprise environments, this vulnerability represents a significant threat vector that requires immediate attention and remediation to protect against potential data breaches and system compromise.