CVE-2008-5776 in Apertoblog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Aperto Blog 0.1.1 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in the (1) action parameter to admin.php and the (2) get parameter to index.php. NOTE: in some environments, this can be leveraged for remote file inclusion by using a UNC share pathname or an ftp, ftps, or ssh2.sftp URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2008-5776 vulnerability affects Aperto Blog version 0.1.1 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary local files through manipulated input parameters. This vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors within the application's administrative and front-end interfaces, creating multiple entry points for exploitation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly in the action parameter of admin.php and the get parameter of index.php. These parameters are directly used in file inclusion operations without proper security checks, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on directory traversal sequences that can be injected through the vulnerable parameters, enabling attackers to navigate the file system beyond intended boundaries. When the application processes these manipulated inputs, it performs file operations using the user-controllable data without adequate sanitization, leading to arbitrary file inclusion and execution. The attack can be extended beyond simple local file inclusion to remote file inclusion scenarios when the vulnerable environment supports protocols such as UNC shares or ftp, ftps, and ssh2.sftp URLs. This extension significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact, as attackers can leverage external resources to execute malicious code on the target system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to the affected systems, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to local files and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web application. The vulnerability can be exploited to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other system resources that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of Aperto Blog are particularly vulnerable to attacks that could lead to complete system compromise, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary file access and execution capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-88 Argument Injection, representing a classic case of insufficient input validation combined with unsafe file operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as it enables attackers to execute commands and potentially deliver malicious payloads. The vulnerability also connects to T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an attack vector that can be leveraged against publicly accessible web applications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and access control restrictions to prevent exploitation. The recommended approach includes patching the affected application to version 0.1.2 or later, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and restricting file access permissions to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.