CVE-2008-5265 in TNT Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in TNT Forum 0.9.4, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in the modulo parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5265 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the TNT Forum 0.9.4 web application. This security weakness specifically affects the index.php script where user input is improperly validated and processed without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability manifests when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting essentially removes a fundamental protection mechanism that would normally prevent malicious input from being interpreted as command sequences. The flaw exists in the handling of the modulo parameter which is directly passed to file inclusion functions without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the application's file handling behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ../../ which allow attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure of the web application. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, these traversal sequences remain unescaped and can be directly interpreted by the PHP interpreter during file inclusion operations. The vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. Attackers can leverage this flaw to include arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to remote code execution, data theft, or complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary file access, meaning an attacker could potentially access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or even system files that should remain protected from web access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential full system compromise. When successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary code on the web server, effectively gaining control over the entire hosting environment. This capability enables malicious actors to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify application functionality, or use the compromised server as a launch point for attacks on other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations running TNT Forum 0.9.4 without proper input validation mechanisms in place, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such legacy applications may still be operational. The risk is amplified by the fact that many organizations may not have comprehensive input validation policies in place, especially for older or legacy applications that were not designed with modern security considerations in mind.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5265 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The most direct solution involves upgrading to a patched version of TNT Forum that properly validates and sanitizes all user input parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls that reject or sanitize directory traversal sequences before any file operations occur. The use of secure coding practices including whitelisting acceptable input values, implementing proper file access controls, and employing absolute path resolution instead of relative paths can significantly reduce the risk. Additionally, enabling magic_quotes_gpc as a temporary workaround can provide protection, though this is not recommended as a permanent solution due to PHP version compatibility issues and the deprecation of this feature in newer PHP versions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of legacy applications running without adequate security controls, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of vulnerable applications.