CVE-2008-6089 in Easy Image Downloader
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in main.php in ScriptsEz Easy Image Downloader allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the id parameter in a download action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
The CVE-2008-6089 vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the ScriptsEz Easy Image Downloader web application. This vulnerability exists in the main.php script where the application fails to properly validate user input passed through the id parameter during download operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file paths by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when applications directly incorporate user-supplied data into file system operations without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. When an attacker submits a malicious id parameter containing sequences like ../../../etc/passwd, the application processes these paths without proper validation, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and proper path sanitization within the file handling routines. This weakness creates an attack surface where remote adversaries can potentially access configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data stored on the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6089 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to potentially escalate privileges and gain deeper system access. Depending on the server configuration and file permissions, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the ability to upload malicious files. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as unauthorized parties can access sensitive information and potentially modify system files. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 - File and Directory Discovery and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target system or to establish persistence through file manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on implementing robust input validation and proper path sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should immediately implement parameter validation that rejects or filters out directory traversal sequences such as .., %2e%2e, or similar encoded variants. The application should enforce strict path validation that ensures all file operations occur within predetermined directories and reject any attempts to navigate outside these boundaries. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage from successful exploitation. The use of secure coding practices, including the principle of least privilege and input sanitization, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future development cycles. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the application stack, as this vulnerability type remains prevalent in legacy applications and represents a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited across various web platforms.