CVE-2008-6315 in PHPmyGallery
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in _conf/core/common-tpl-vars.php in PHPmyGallery 1.0 beta2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the confdir parameter, a different issue than CVE-2008-6316.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6315 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within PHPmyGallery version 1.0 beta2, specifically affecting the _conf/core/common-tpl-vars.php file. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input passed through the confdir parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that are subsequently included and executed by the PHP interpreter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic remote file inclusion attack vector where an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it as the confdir parameter to the vulnerable application. When PHPmyGallery processes this parameter without adequate validation, it treats the supplied URL as a legitimate file path and attempts to include it in the execution context. This behavior directly violates secure coding principles and represents a failure in input sanitization and parameter validation, aligning with CWE-98 which describes improper file inclusion vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary code execution, potentially enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected system or database.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to web application security and data integrity. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the PHPmyGallery application. The vulnerability affects organizations that have not updated to patched versions of PHPmyGallery, leaving their web applications exposed to remote attackers who can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access or deploy additional malicious payloads. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and system reconnaissance activities that align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and persistence domains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6315 should prioritize immediate patching of affected PHPmyGallery installations to the latest stable versions that address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation measures at the application level, specifically sanitizing all user-supplied parameters before processing them. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious URL patterns and parameter values. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous file inclusion patterns and unusual network traffic originating from vulnerable applications. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege principles and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their web application infrastructure, while adhering to secure coding practices that prevent similar issues in future development cycles.