CVE-2008-6361 in Feedcms
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in InSun Feed CMS 1.7.3 19Beta allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in the lang parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2008-6361 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the InSun Feed CMS version 1.7.3 19Beta, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's file inclusion logic. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to manipulate the lang parameter through directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, enabling them to access arbitrary local files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness falls squarely within the ATT&CK framework's T1505.003 technique for "Server-side Template Injection" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" when exploitation leads to code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing directory traversal sequences and injects them into the lang parameter of the index.php script. The CMS fails to validate or sanitize this input, allowing the attacker to bypass normal file access controls and potentially access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files. When the application processes the malformed input, it attempts to include and execute files from locations specified by the attacker, which can lead to arbitrary code execution if the included files contain executable code. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the underlying system, potentially compromising the entire web application and its hosted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code on the target system. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. Organizations running affected versions of InSun Feed CMS face significant risk, as the vulnerability does not require authentication and can be exploited remotely. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core application logic, meaning that any content management functionality relying on the index.php script could be compromised. This type of vulnerability often leads to widespread security breaches and can result in regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage for affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6361 should focus on immediate patching of the affected CMS version, as the vendor has likely released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are thoroughly checked before being processed. The implementation of a whitelist approach for acceptable language parameters can prevent directory traversal attacks by only allowing pre-approved values. Additionally, proper file access controls should be enforced through the principle of least privilege, ensuring that the web application runs with minimal necessary permissions and cannot access sensitive system files. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious traffic attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.