CVE-2008-6539 in DeStar
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in user/settings/ in DeStar 0.2.2-5 allows remote authenticated users to add arbitrary administrators and inject arbitrary Python code into destar_cfg.py via a crafted pin parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6539 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the DeStar 0.2.2-5 web application framework. This vulnerability exists in the user/settings/ component where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into system configuration files. The flaw specifically manifests when processing a crafted pin parameter that is intended for authentication purposes but can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code within the application's configuration context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of user-supplied data in the destar_cfg.py file. When authenticated users submit a specially crafted pin parameter, the system directly incorporates this input into the configuration file without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject Python code that gets executed within the application's runtime context, effectively allowing arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability is classified as a static code injection since the injected code becomes permanently stored within the configuration file and executed during subsequent application operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it allows remote authenticated users to escalate their privileges and gain administrative control over the affected system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to add new administrator accounts, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The security implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, meaning that users who have already compromised legitimate credentials can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges and further compromise the system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes the weakness of executing arbitrary code or commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for executing malicious code through script interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code injection issue and the broader security architecture concerns. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent any user-supplied data from being directly incorporated into system configuration files. The application should employ proper parameterization techniques and avoid dynamic code generation from user input. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit the scope of authenticated users who can modify system settings, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy applications. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical configuration files and establish robust backup and recovery procedures to quickly restore systems in case of successful exploitation.