CVE-2008-6410 in ol bookmarks manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in show.php in ol bookmarks manager 0.7.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the show parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6410 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the ol bookmarks manager version 0.7.5 and earlier implementations. This weakness resides in the show.php script which fails to properly validate user input before processing file inclusion operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the show parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters that allow attackers to manipulate file paths and access arbitrary local files on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system by leveraging the insecure file inclusion mechanism. When the show parameter is manipulated with directory traversal sequences, the application processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, allowing the attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files. The attack vector operates entirely through HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no local system access or authentication. This vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when combined with other exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, execute malicious commands, and establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 0.7.5 of the ol bookmarks manager, making it a widespread concern for organizations that have not updated their systems. The lack of proper input validation creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and access critical system resources. This vulnerability also exposes the underlying architecture to additional attacks such as information disclosure, remote code execution, and potential lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6410 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software versions, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and establishing robust access controls. Organizations must ensure that all instances of the ol bookmarks manager are updated to versions that address this directory traversal vulnerability. The implementation of proper parameter validation and sanitization techniques should be enforced to prevent manipulation of file paths through user input. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied to limit the application's access to system resources, and web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.