CVE-2008-6167 in miniPortail
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in search.php in miniPortail 2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the lng parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6167 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the miniPortail content management system version 2.2 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the search.php script where user input is improperly validated and processed, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The specific weakness lies in how the lng parameter handles directory navigation sequences, allowing attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy using standard dot-dot notation sequences.
This directory traversal vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw enables attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, system compromise, or execution of malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows arbitrary local file inclusion, meaning attackers can specify any local file path that the web application can access, including system configuration files, database files, or even executable scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. When combined with proper reconnaissance and exploitation techniques, this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables remote code execution through manipulated file inclusion paths.
The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious payload that includes directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the lng parameter, which then gets processed by the vulnerable search.php script. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization, it can lead to inclusion of unintended files from the local file system. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper file access controls in web applications, as it shows how a single missing validation step can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of miniPortail should immediately implement mitigations including parameter validation, input sanitization, and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access and execution.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The recommended approach includes implementing allow-list validation for language parameters, using absolute paths instead of relative paths when including files, and implementing proper access controls to limit file system access. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious directory traversal patterns. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability has been known since 2008 and multiple remediation options exist.