CVE-2008-5993 in Barcodegen 1d
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in image.php in Barcode Generator 1D (barcodegen) 2.0.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the code parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5993 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Barcode Generator 1D (barcodegen) software version 2.0.0 and earlier. This issue resides in the image.php component of the application, which processes user-supplied input to generate barcode images. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of the code parameter, which is used to specify the barcode content and type. When attackers provide malicious input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot), the application fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in file operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the file inclusion mechanism by injecting ../ sequences into the code parameter. This enables attackers to traverse the directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server hosting the barcode generator. The vulnerability operates at the application level where user input directly influences file system operations, creating a path traversal condition that violates fundamental security principles of input validation and access control. The flaw is classified under CWE-22 which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running vulnerable versions of barcodegen. Attackers can potentially access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, system logs, or even execute arbitrary code if the application has sufficient privileges to read system files. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where barcode generation services are publicly accessible or integrated into web applications that process user input.
The attack vector leverages the application's lack of proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. When the code parameter is processed, the application constructs file paths without adequate checks to prevent directory traversal sequences from being interpreted as legitimate path navigation commands. This creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's file access behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying file system. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of malicious file inclusion to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the barcodegen software to version 2.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that reject or encode directory traversal sequences before processing user input. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the application with minimal necessary permissions and restricting file system access. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to the vulnerable application, while regular security audits and code reviews can identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The fix typically involves implementing proper path validation that ensures file operations occur within designated directories and rejects any input containing traversal sequences.