CVE-2008-5963 in Gravity-gtd
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in library/setup/rpc.php in Gravity Getting Things Done (GTD) 0.4.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the objectname parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The CVE-2008-5963 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code injection flaw within the Gravity Getting Things Done (GTD) web application version 0.4.5 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the library/setup/rpc.php file and specifically targets the objectname parameter, which is processed without proper input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and code injection attacks, which are commonly exploited in web application penetration testing and automated scanning operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the rpc.php script. When the objectname parameter is passed to the application, it undergoes insufficient validation before being used in PHP execution contexts. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the application's trust in user input. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows arbitrary code execution, which aligns with CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') and CWE-77 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection'). Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute system commands, access sensitive data, modify application behavior, or establish persistent access to the compromised server.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5963 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the affected server, potentially leading to unauthorized access to databases, file systems, and network resources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to carry out attacks, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosted on publicly accessible servers. This flaw directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python and T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can use the vulnerability to establish backdoors and maintain persistence. Organizations running affected versions of GTD are at significant risk of data theft, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5963 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of Gravity GTD that properly validates and sanitizes the objectname parameter before processing. Organizations should implement input validation controls that filter or escape special characters in user-supplied data to prevent code injection attempts. Additionally, applying web application firewalls and implementing proper access controls can provide defense-in-depth measures. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in RPC requests, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, particularly focusing on preventing injection attacks and ensuring proper parameter handling in web applications.