CVE-2008-4796 in Snoopy
Summary
by MITRE
The _httpsrequest function (Snoopy/Snoopy.class.php) in Snoopy 1.2.3 and earlier, as used in (1) ampache, (2) libphp-snoopy, (3) mahara, (4) mediamate, (5) opendb, (6) pixelpost, and possibly other products, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in https URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4796 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Snoopy library version 1.2.3 and earlier, which has been widely adopted across numerous web applications including ampache, mahara, and pixelpost among others. This vulnerability specifically affects the _httpsrequest function within the Snoopy/Snoopy.class.php file, where the library fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input when processing https URLs. The flaw arises from the library's insecure handling of URL parameters, allowing attackers to inject shell metacharacters that get executed within the context of the web server process. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-77 as a command injection weakness, where attacker-controlled data flows directly into system commands without proper validation or sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when applications using Snoopy pass user-supplied https URLs directly to the _httpsrequest function without adequate input filtering. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are interpreted by the underlying system shell during URL processing, leading to arbitrary command execution. The impact extends beyond individual applications to potentially compromise entire server environments, as the executed commands run with the privileges of the web server process. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages a widely used PHP library, meaning that exploitation can affect dozens of different applications simultaneously.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for organizations deploying affected applications, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain full control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests containing maliciously crafted URLs, making it highly accessible to attackers with basic technical skills. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command injection technique under the T1059.001 sub-technique, which allows adversaries to execute commands through various interfaces including web applications.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Snoopy version 1.2.4 or later, which contains proper input validation and sanitization for URL parameters. Additionally, application developers should implement proper input validation at all points where user data enters the system, particularly when processing URLs or any data that might be passed to system commands. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious URL patterns, while also implementing proper output encoding to prevent injection attacks. Regular security audits and dependency checks should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other third-party libraries. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, as it could have been prevented through basic defensive programming techniques that align with industry standards such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten project.