CVE-2008-6271 in TBmnetCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in TBmnetCMS 1.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the content parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6271 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the TBmnetCMS 1.0 content management system. This weakness specifically manifests in the index.php script where user input containing directory traversal sequences can be exploited to access arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability is particularly severe when the web server configuration has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, removing a crucial PHP security mechanism that would normally escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. Without this protection, malicious actors can directly manipulate input parameters to navigate through the file system hierarchy using the standard .. (dot dot) notation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the CMS application. When the content parameter is processed in index.php, the application fails to adequately filter or validate user-supplied data that may contain directory traversal sequences. This allows attackers to append .. sequences to file paths, effectively moving up directory levels and accessing files outside the intended web root directory. The flaw directly aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure web application development.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to access sensitive files on the compromised server, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, user information, and other critical system data. The attack surface extends beyond simple file reading to include potential information disclosure, system reconnaissance, and further exploitation opportunities. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to discover database connection strings, administrator credentials, or other sensitive configuration data stored in files accessible through the web server. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where public web servers are exposed to the internet.
The exploitation of CVE-2008-6271 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability fits within the T1078 technique for valid accounts and T1083 for file and directory discovery, as attackers can use this flaw to enumerate the file system and locate sensitive information. Organizations with TBmnetCMS 1.0 installations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the vulnerable application or upgrading to a patched version. Input validation should be implemented at multiple levels, including server-side validation that properly sanitizes all user input before processing. The recommended approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation mechanism that only accepts expected file paths or implementing proper path normalization that prevents directory traversal sequences from being interpreted. Additionally, organizations should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement equivalent protection mechanisms at the application level to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of the system.