CVE-2008-4741 in FAR-PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in FAR-PHP 1.00, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the c parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4741 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the FAR-PHP 1.00 web application, specifically affecting the index.php script. This weakness arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates under conditions where magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, removing a crucial PHP security safeguard that would normally escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. When magic_quotes_gpc is turned off, the application becomes vulnerable to malicious input manipulation without the automatic sanitization that would typically prevent such attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the c parameter in the index.php script, where attackers can inject directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. This allows adversaries to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques, enabling attackers to craft malicious URLs that bypass normal file access controls. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-22 weakness under "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is a well-documented category of security flaws that enables attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and potentially system files that could lead to complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, as demonstrated by the widespread exploitation of similar path traversal vulnerabilities in web applications. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) when considering the potential for attackers to discover and exfiltrate sensitive data through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4741 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling magic_quotes_gpc and implementing robust input filtering that removes or encodes dangerous characters such as .. and / from user-supplied parameters. Application developers should employ absolute path validation techniques that ensure all file access operations occur within predetermined safe directories. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and the principle of least privilege can limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious directory traversal attempts. The remediation process must include thorough code review to identify all input points that could be exploited and ensure that proper sanitization routines are implemented across the entire application codebase. Security patches should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation increases with the availability of public exploitation tools and the widespread nature of similar vulnerabilities in legacy web applications.