CVE-2008-5642 in CMS Made Simple
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in admin/login.php in CMS Made Simple 1.4.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in a cms_language cookie.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5642 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the CMS Made Simple content management system version 1.4.1. This issue specifically affects the administrative login component located at admin/login.php, creating a pathway for remote attackers to access sensitive system files through manipulation of the cms_language cookie parameter. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path access, allowing malicious users to navigate beyond the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the application processes the cms_language cookie value without proper validation, enabling attackers to inject ../ sequences that traverse directory hierarchies. This allows unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem, potentially exposing configuration files, database credentials, source code, and other sensitive information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems with exposed administrative interfaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using CMS Made Simple 1.4.1, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, modify content, or compromise the entire web application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to understand the target environment and locate sensitive files.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to CMS Made Simple 1.4.1, as the vulnerability has been widely exploited in the wild. Organizations should implement proper input validation mechanisms, restrict file access permissions, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the web application stack. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization in preventing path traversal attacks, which remain a persistent threat in web application security.