CVE-2008-5943 in NavBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in NavBoard 16 (2.6.0) allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the module parameter to (1) admin_modules.php and (2) modules.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5943 affects NavBoard version 2.6.0, a web-based content management system that suffered from multiple directory traversal flaws in its administrative modules. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the module parameter handling mechanism, specifically in two critical files: admin_modules.php and modules.php. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the system by manipulating the module parameter with directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation, which enables them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical flaw represents a classic directory traversal vulnerability that falls under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it to construct file paths for module inclusion. When an attacker supplies a malicious module parameter containing sequences like ../../etc/passwd or similar traversal patterns, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive files that should remain protected within the application's restricted directory structure. This weakness directly enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code or obtain sensitive information from the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to local files on the web server hosting NavBoard. Attackers could potentially read sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user information, or system files that contain critical data. The vulnerability could also enable privilege escalation attacks, where an attacker might gain access to administrative functions or even achieve remote code execution depending on the server configuration and file permissions. Given that the vulnerability affects administrative modules, successful exploitation could allow attackers to take complete control of the web application, potentially leading to full system compromise and data breaches. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5943 should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly validated and that any directory traversal sequences are rejected or neutralized before being processed. The recommended approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation system where only predefined, safe module names are accepted, or implementing proper path normalization that strips out dangerous sequences such as .. and / from user input. Additionally, the application should be configured with the principle of least privilege, ensuring that web server processes run with minimal required permissions and that sensitive files are properly protected with appropriate access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known directory traversal attack patterns, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, and T1566 for spearphishing attachments, as attackers might use this vulnerability to gain initial access to systems before escalating privileges through further exploitation.