CVE-2008-5949 in ccTiddly
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in ccTiddly 1.7.4 and 1.7.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the cct_base parameter to (1) index.php; (2) handle/proxy.php; (3) header.php, (4) include.php, and (5) workspace.php in includes/; and (6) plugins/RSS/files/rss.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The CVE-2008-5949 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting ccTiddly versions 1.7.4 and 1.7.6, classified under CWE-88 as improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input parameters, specifically the cct_base parameter that is processed through multiple script files including index.php, handle/proxy.php, header.php, include.php, workspace.php, and plugins/RSS/files/rss.php. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code on the target server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the cct_base parameter to point to a remote malicious PHP script hosted on an attacker-controlled server. When the vulnerable application processes this parameter, it performs a file inclusion operation without proper validation, effectively executing arbitrary PHP code within the context of the web server. This creates a severe attack surface where remote code execution becomes possible, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects multiple entry points within the ccTiddly application, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage any of the listed files to establish their payload delivery mechanism.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5949 is substantial, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code remotely without requiring authentication. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Organizations running affected versions of ccTiddly face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, as the vulnerability enables attackers to bypass traditional security controls and directly manipulate server-side processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5949 should focus on immediate patching of the affected ccTiddly versions to the latest secure releases that address the improper input validation. System administrators should implement proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms to prevent the inclusion of external URLs in the cct_base parameter. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion capabilities and implementing proper access controls. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications within the organization's attack surface, aligning with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.