CVE-2008-5990 in emergecolab
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in connect/init.inc in emergecolab 1.0 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the sitecode parameter to connect/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The CVE-2008-5990 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the emergecolab 1.0 web application framework that exposes remote attackers to arbitrary code execution capabilities. This vulnerability specifically affects the connect/init.inc component and manifests when the sitecode parameter in connect/index.php is manipulated with .. (dot dot) sequences. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling within the application's initialization process, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as path traversal flaws where attackers can manipulate file paths to access unauthorized resources. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the lack of proper sanitization in the sitecode parameter, enabling attackers to construct malicious paths that traverse upward through the directory hierarchy. When the application processes these manipulated paths, it fails to validate or sanitize the input, allowing the inclusion of local files from arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This weakness directly enables attackers to include and execute local files, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations deploying emergecolab 1.0 applications, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include full system compromise, particularly when attackers can leverage the vulnerability to include system files such as /etc/passwd or execute shell commands through PHP include functions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments.
Security mitigations for CVE-2008-5990 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The primary defense involves proper parameter validation within the connect/init.inc file to reject or sanitize any input containing .. sequences or other path traversal indicators. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and file permission settings to limit what files can be accessed through the web application. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on input validation and privilege separation techniques to prevent unauthorized file access and execution. The remediation process should include immediate patching of the emergecolab 1.0 framework or implementation of proper input sanitization measures to prevent exploitation of this directory traversal vulnerability.