CVE-2008-5819 in eDNews
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in eDNews_archive.php in eDreamers eDNews 2, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the lg parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The CVE-2008-5819 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the eDreamers eDNews 2 content management system, specifically within the eDNews_archive.php script. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the web server configuration has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would otherwise prevent malicious input from being interpreted as part of a file path. The vulnerability is exploitable through manipulation of the lg parameter, where attackers can inject directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the eDNews_archive.php script. When the lg parameter is processed without adequate security controls, the application directly incorporates user input into file inclusion operations without proper path validation or normalization. This creates an environment where malicious actors can craft payloads that traverse directory structures and potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other local resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal flaws in software applications, where insufficient restrictions on user-supplied input allow attackers to access files outside the intended directory scope.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the affected eDNews 2 system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially gaining full control over the web application and underlying system. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include complete system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to data theft, service disruption, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability also presents challenges for incident response and forensic analysis, as malicious file access may leave minimal traces or appear as legitimate system activity. Organizations with this vulnerability exposed face potential regulatory compliance violations, especially in environments governed by standards such as pci dss or hipaa where data protection is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5819 should focus on immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. The most direct approach involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file operations or inclusion functions. Organizations should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious path traversal sequences from being processed. Additionally, the application should employ absolute path validation, normalize all file paths, and implement proper access controls that restrict file operations to intended directories only. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of eDreamers eDNews 2, implementing web application firewalls with content filtering capabilities, and conducting comprehensive security testing to verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the mitre attack framework, where multiple layers of security controls work together to prevent successful exploitation attempts.