CVE-2008-4662 in LokiCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in admin.php in LokiCMS 0.3.4, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the language parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4662 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within LokiCMS version 0.3.4 that exploits a fundamental security weakness in how the application handles user input. This issue specifically affects the admin.php component where the language parameter is processed without adequate validation or sanitization. When the PHP configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application becomes particularly susceptible to malicious input manipulation that can bypass normal file access controls and potentially lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize the language parameter before using it in file inclusion operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters that manipulate the file path resolution mechanism. This allows the application to interpret user-supplied input as a legitimate file path, enabling access to files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines directory traversal or path traversal vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when an application uses user-supplied input to construct file paths without proper validation, allowing attackers to access files outside the intended directory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access to potentially enable complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target system, access sensitive configuration files, retrieve database credentials, or even establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal prerequisites - simply disabling magic_quotes_gpc provides the necessary conditions for exploitation to succeed. This makes the attack surface significantly larger and more accessible to threat actors with basic technical knowledge.
Security practitioners should recognize that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and script injection, and T1566 for phishing with social engineering. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable CMS version, followed by crafting malicious payloads that exploit the directory traversal mechanism. Organizations running LokiCMS 0.3.4 should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to a patched version, enabling magic_quotes_gpc, or implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additional protective measures such as web application firewalls, input filtering, and regular security audits can provide layered defense against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation in preventing path traversal attacks, which remain prevalent in many legacy web applications and CMS platforms.