CVE-2008-6126 in moziloCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in moziloCMS 1.10.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) file parameter to download.php and the (2) page parameter to index.php, a different vector than CVE-2008-3589.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6126 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting moziloCMS versions 1.10.2 and earlier. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation within the content management system's file handling mechanisms, specifically exposing two distinct attack vectors that enable unauthorized file access. The vulnerability manifests through two separate entry points: the file parameter in download.php and the page parameter in index.php, both of which are susceptible to manipulation using directory traversal sequences. These flaws allow remote attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should remain protected within the application's file system hierarchy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input containing sequences such as .. or ../ is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or validation. In the context of moziloCMS, when an attacker supplies a malicious path traversal string through either the file parameter in download.php or the page parameter in index.php, the application processes these inputs without adequate restrictions, effectively allowing access to arbitrary files on the server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can potentially expose sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored within the server's file system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6126 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with significant reconnaissance capabilities and potential escalation paths. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract configuration files that may contain database connection strings, API keys, and other sensitive credentials. The vulnerability also enables attackers to access application source code, potentially revealing implementation details that could aid in further exploitation attempts. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files can facilitate the discovery of other system vulnerabilities through the exposure of system configuration files, log files, or backup files that might contain sensitive data. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where multiple applications share the same server infrastructure, as it could potentially allow attackers to move laterally between different applications or services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6126 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing proper parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes directory traversal sequences before they are processed by the file system operations. Organizations should implement a whitelist-based approach for file access, where only explicitly allowed files or directories can be accessed through the application's interface. Additionally, the application should employ proper path normalization and validation techniques that prevent the interpretation of .. sequences in file paths. System administrators should ensure that moziloCMS is upgraded to a patched version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original vulnerable versions are no longer supported. Security measures should also include implementing proper file system permissions that limit access to sensitive files and directories, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against common attack vectors such as directory traversal, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through file system traversal and T1083 for file and directory discovery.