CVE-2008-5887 in PHPList
Summary
by MITRE
phplist before 2.10.8 allows remote attackers to include files via unknown vectors, related to a "local file include vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5887 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw in phplist versions prior to 2.10.8, which exposes systems to remote code execution and data theft risks. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate application behavior through crafted input parameters. The flaw enables attackers to include local files on the server through unspecified vectors, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive system resources. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited without authentication and can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently used to construct file paths or include file names within the application. Attackers can manipulate these parameters to reference local files on the server, potentially including system files, configuration files, or even PHP scripts that may contain malicious code. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness allows adversaries to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure, system compromise, or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5887 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to vulnerable systems and escalate privileges within the application environment. When exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the phplist application. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. Organizations using affected versions of phplist face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5887 should prioritize immediate patching of affected phplist installations to version 2.10.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent local file inclusion attacks. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious input from being processed by the application. Additional protective measures include restricting file inclusion functions, implementing proper access controls, and configuring web server security settings to prevent unauthorized file access. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file inclusion attempts. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing commands through various means including file inclusion attacks, and T1566, which encompasses social engineering and phishing techniques that may leverage such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against file inclusion vulnerabilities and related attack patterns.