CVE-2008-5207 in Jonascms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Jonascms 1.2 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the taal parameter to (1) backup.php and (2) gb_voegtoe.php. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2008-5207 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Jonascms 1.2, specifically targeting two key administrative scripts. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion operations. The vulnerability manifests when the taal parameter is manipulated with .. (dot dot) sequences in backup.php and gb_voegtoe.php, allowing unauthorized access to arbitrary local files on the server. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector leverages the fundamental weakness in how the application processes file paths, enabling attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected server. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through backup.php and gb_voegtoe.php, they can traverse the file system to access files outside the intended directory structure, including system configuration files, database credentials, and other sensitive data. The consequences include complete compromise of the web application's integrity, potential data breaches, and unauthorized access to the underlying server infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may leverage the file inclusion functionality to execute malicious commands on the compromised system. The attack can be particularly devastating in environments where the web application has elevated privileges or where sensitive data is stored in accessible locations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5207 must address both the immediate vulnerability and implement comprehensive security controls to prevent similar issues. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, specifically ensuring that directory traversal sequences are rejected or properly encoded before being processed. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that filters out special characters including .., /, and \ to prevent path manipulation attempts. Additionally, the application should enforce proper access controls using the principle of least privilege, ensuring that the web application operates with minimal required permissions. The implementation of a secure coding framework that prevents file inclusion vulnerabilities should be adopted, including the use of allowlists for valid file parameters and the avoidance of dynamic file inclusion based on user input. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential similar vulnerabilities in other applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and the need for robust security controls in web applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data in file operations.