CVE-2008-6665 in Ananta CMS
Summary
by MITRE
change.php in Ananta CMS 1.0b5, with magic_quotes_gpc disabled, allows remote attackers to gain administrator privileges via a crafted email parameter, possibly related to code injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6665 affects Ananta CMS version 1.0b5 and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that arises from improper input validation and sanitization practices. This issue specifically targets the change.php script within the content management system, where the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper parameter validation that allows malicious actors to manipulate the email parameter in ways that could lead to unauthorized administrative access. The root cause lies in the application's failure to implement proper input filtering mechanisms, creating an environment where crafted malicious input can be executed as part of the application's processing logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially formatted email parameter that bypasses normal input validation checks. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application does not automatically escape special characters in user input, leaving it susceptible to code injection attacks. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting malicious code through the email parameter, potentially enabling them to escalate their privileges from regular user to administrator level. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of code injection flaws as defined by CWE-94, which specifically addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to insufficient input validation. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to severe privilege escalation issues within web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6665 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the affected CMS system. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain full administrative control over the content management system, which can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to initiate and can be executed remotely without authentication. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1499 System Shutdown/Reboot, as it allows for unauthorized access and potential system manipulation. The implications are severe for organizations relying on Ananta CMS, as the compromise of a single administrative account can result in complete system takeover.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms that ensure all user-supplied data is properly escaped and validated before processing. Organizations should enable magic_quotes_gpc or implement equivalent protection measures to prevent malicious input from being interpreted as code. Additionally, the application should employ proper parameterized queries and input filtering to prevent code injection attempts. Security hardening measures should include regular security audits, input validation testing, and monitoring for suspicious user activity patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines. Regular updates and security assessments are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.