CVE-2008-6407 in ol bookmarks manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in frame.php in ol bookmarks manager 0.7.5 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the framefile parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6407 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the ol bookmarks manager version 0.7.5 web application. This security weakness resides in the frame.php component which processes user input through the framefile parameter without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence commonly used to navigate directory structures, thereby gaining unauthorized access to local files on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental weakness in input validation that allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into file path operations without adequate filtering or restriction. When an attacker submits a malicious framefile parameter containing sequences like ../../../etc/passwd or similar directory traversal patterns, the web application processes these inputs and attempts to include the specified files. This creates a scenario where arbitrary local file inclusion becomes possible, potentially allowing attackers to read sensitive system files, execute malicious code, or compromise the entire web server environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, bypassing typical web application security controls and potentially enabling privilege escalation or information disclosure attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations deploying the ol bookmarks manager application. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access critical system files, configuration data, or even execute arbitrary commands on the affected server. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can potentially allow full system compromise through the execution of malicious code within the web server context. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects any system running the vulnerable version of the bookmark manager, and the exploitation requires minimal technical skill to execute successfully. This makes it particularly attractive to automated attack tools and increases the likelihood of widespread exploitation across unpatched systems.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center around implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the ol bookmarks manager application to address this directory traversal vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation that filters out directory traversal sequences such as .., %2e%2e, or similar encoded variants can prevent exploitation. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices, specifically addressing input validation and file handling security controls. This incident underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely deployed web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing with Malicious Attachments and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting its potential for both initial compromise and post-exploitation activities within compromised environments.