CVE-2008-5593 in Mini CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in index.php in Mini CMS 1.0.1 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) page and (2) admin parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5593 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Mini CMS version 1.0.1, specifically within the index.php script. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being processed as file paths. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the page and admin parameters by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences, which enables them to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside the intended directory structure.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw operates by exploiting the lack of proper path validation in the application's file inclusion mechanisms, allowing remote attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls. When the application processes these malformed parameters, it inadvertently resolves the .. sequences to parent directories, enabling access to sensitive system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary local files and potentially gain complete control over the affected system. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to read sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other critical system information. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers might access administrative files or execute malicious code with the privileges of the web application. Furthermore, this weakness can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including lateral movement within the network infrastructure and persistence mechanisms establishment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5593 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures that prevent directory traversal attempts. The most effective approach involves removing or encoding special characters such as .. sequences from user-supplied parameters before processing them. Applications should employ absolute path validation techniques that ensure all file operations occur within predefined safe directories, implementing whitelisting mechanisms that only permit access to explicitly defined files and paths. Additionally, the implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious traversal patterns, while regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components. The remediation efforts should align with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on preventing path traversal attacks and maintaining proper input validation controls.