CVE-2008-4425 in Personal Information Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in upload.php in Phlatline s Personal Information Manager (pPIM) 1.0 allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the file parameter within a delfile action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The CVE-2008-4425 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Phlatline s Personal Information Manager version 1.0 web application. This vulnerability specifically affects the upload.php script which handles file deletion operations through a delfile action. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly the file parameter that controls which files can be deleted from the system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that allow them to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and target arbitrary files within the web server's file system.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which classifies directory traversal attacks as a fundamental security flaw involving improper restriction of pathname characters or components. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution and complete system compromise through unauthorized file deletion operations. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize file paths before processing deletion requests, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the file parameter to target system files, configuration files, or even executable components that could lead to further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration. When an attacker successfully exploits this weakness, they can delete critical system files, configuration data, or user information stored within the application's directory structure. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive personal information. The vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to complete system takeover through the removal of security-critical components or the deletion of backup files that could prevent system recovery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4425 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied file paths, including the use of allowlists that restrict file operations to predefined directories and file types. The application should employ absolute path resolution and implement strict access controls that prevent traversal outside of designated directories. Additionally, the system should enforce proper file permissions and implement a principle of least privilege for all file operations. Security measures should include regular input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and persistence tactics.