CVE-2008-5948 in BNCwi
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in BNCwi 1.04 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the newlanguage parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5948 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the BNCwi content management system version 1.04 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script and exploits a weakness in parameter validation that permits attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms through crafted input. The flaw manifests when the newlanguage parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) which allows unauthorized access to local files outside the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is classified as a high-severity issue in cybersecurity risk assessments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the newlanguage parameter in the index.php script where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before using it in file inclusion operations. When an attacker submits a malicious payload containing directory traversal sequences, the application processes these sequences without adequate validation, potentially allowing access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other local resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability essentially bypasses normal access controls by leveraging the application's trust in user-supplied input, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or retrieve confidential information from the server's file system. This weakness directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" but more broadly encompasses path traversal attack vectors in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access critical system files including database configuration files, application source code, user credentials stored in local files, or even system binaries that could provide further attack vectors. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Organizations running affected versions of BNCwi face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations depending on the sensitivity of data handled by the application. The vulnerability also poses challenges for incident response teams as it may be used to establish persistent access or to gather intelligence about the target system's configuration and file structure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5948 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected BNCwi versions to the latest available release that addresses this directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that reject or encode directory traversal sequences before processing user input. Web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems should be configured to detect and block requests containing suspicious path traversal patterns. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the damage that could occur if exploitation were to succeed. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and ensuring that all system components are updated to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being present in other software systems.