CVE-2008-5748 in Bloofox
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in plugins/spaw2/dialogs/dialog.php in BloofoxCMS 0.3.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the (1) lang, (2) theme, and (3) module parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5748 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within BloofoxCMS version 0.3.4, specifically affecting the spaw2 plugin's dialog.php component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating three distinct parameters: lang, theme, and module. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's file handling routines, allowing malicious users to craft requests that bypass normal file access controls. Directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature are classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user-supplied input without proper validation, allowing attackers to inject sequences such as ../ or ..\ into the lang, theme, and module parameters. When these parameters are directly incorporated into file path constructions without adequate sanitization, the system attempts to access files outside the intended directory structure. This flaw essentially allows attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, system files, or other confidential data that should remain restricted. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools commonly found in the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique category for credential access through exploitation of remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file reading capabilities, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, potentially including database connection strings, administrator credentials, or application configuration files that contain critical system details. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the BloofoxCMS platform, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire content management system. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to administrative interfaces, and potential complete system compromise. The vulnerability also impacts the availability of the system as attackers may use it to escalate privileges or deploy malicious payloads, making it a serious concern for any organization relying on the affected CMS version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5748 should focus on immediate patching of the affected BloofoxCMS version to the latest available release that addresses this directory traversal vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures within the affected plugin, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous validation before being used in file operations. The implementation of a whitelist approach for acceptable parameter values can effectively prevent malicious path traversal sequences from being processed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious parameter sequences targeting directory traversal patterns. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web application processes run with minimal required permissions and that sensitive files are properly protected through appropriate file system permissions. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other potentially vulnerable components within their CMS installations and implement regular security monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation as recommended in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, particularly focusing on preventing path traversal attacks through proper parameter validation and secure file access mechanisms.