CVE-2008-5861 in FreeLyrics
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in source.php in FreeLyrics 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the p parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5861 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the FreeLyrics 1.0 web application, specifically affecting the source.php component. This weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the p parameter through directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\.. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file handling routines, allowing malicious users to bypass normal access controls and potentially obtain sensitive information from the underlying file system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences in the p parameter of the source.php script. When the application processes this input without proper validation, it concatenates the user-supplied path with the base directory path, resulting in the server reading files outside the intended directory structure. This can lead to unauthorized access to configuration files, source code, database files, or other sensitive data that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools and malicious actors seeking to gather intelligence about the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5861 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable further exploitation attempts within the compromised environment. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to access system configuration files that could reveal database credentials, application secrets, or other sensitive information that could facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as it may allow attackers to read files containing personal information, business data, or intellectual property. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could result in violations of data protection regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS standards, depending on the nature of the data accessed.
Mitigation strategies for this directory traversal vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures. The most effective approach involves removing or properly encoding special characters that could be used for path traversal attacks, particularly the dot-dot-slash sequences. Developers should implement a whitelist-based approach to file access, where only predefined, safe file paths are allowed for access. Additionally, the application should employ proper directory traversal prevention mechanisms such as canonicalizing file paths and ensuring that all user-supplied input is validated against a strict set of allowed characters and patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious directory traversal attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify all potential entry points where user input is used to construct file paths, and implementing proper error handling that does not expose sensitive system information to end users. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) when considering the potential for further exploitation after initial access.