CVE-2008-5322 in Wysi Wiki Wyg
Summary
by MITRE
Wysi Wiki Wyg 1.0 allows remote attackers to obtain system information via an invalid categup parameter to index.php, which calls the phpinfo function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5322 affects Wysi Wiki Wyg version 1.0 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive system information. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's parameter handling mechanism, specifically targeting the categup parameter in the index.php file. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing it, leading to unintended execution of the phpinfo function which reveals extensive server configuration details including PHP settings, loaded extensions, environment variables, and potentially other sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and output sanitization, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-200 - Information Exposure. The attacker can exploit this by crafting a malicious URL with an invalid categup parameter value that triggers the phpinfo function call within the application's code execution flow. This represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where user-controllable parameters directly influence server-side function execution without proper authorization checks or input filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and can be leveraged by remote unauthenticated attackers to gather intelligence that could facilitate further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked system information can serve as a valuable reconnaissance tool for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. The phpinfo output typically includes sensitive details such as PHP version, server configuration, loaded modules, database connection information, and potentially file paths that could be used to identify additional vulnerabilities or attack vectors. This information disclosure vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to understand the target environment better, potentially enabling them to craft more targeted attacks against specific PHP modules, server configurations, or application components. The exposure of such information violates fundamental security principles and can significantly weaken the overall security posture of the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization mechanisms within the application code. The recommended approach involves filtering and validating all user-supplied input parameters before processing them, specifically ensuring that the categup parameter cannot trigger unintended function calls. Security measures should include implementing proper access controls, input sanitization routines, and avoiding direct execution of user-supplied parameters as function names or command arguments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter patterns, applying the principle of least privilege to limit the information returned by server-side functions, and conducting regular security code reviews to identify similar input validation flaws. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access, as the information disclosure can lead to credential exposure or other attack vectors. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of input validation mechanisms and ensuring that no user-controllable parameters can influence server-side function execution without proper authorization checks.