CVE-2008-6677 in QuickerSite
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in fckeditor251/editor/filemanager/connectors/asp/upload.asp in QuickerSite 1.8.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6677 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within the QuickerSite 1.8.5 content management system that leverages the FCKeditor 2.5.1 component. This vulnerability exists in the file upload handler located at fckeditor251/editor/filemanager/connectors/asp/upload.asp, which fails to properly validate or restrict file extensions during the upload process. The flaw allows malicious actors to bypass security controls and upload potentially dangerous files to the web server, creating a significant attack surface for remote code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the file upload mechanism. When users upload files through the FCKeditor interface, the application does not sufficiently verify the file type or extension, permitting the upload of executable files such as .asp, .php, .jsp, or other server-side scripting formats. This weakness directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the improper restriction of uploads of executable code, and represents a classic example of insecure file handling practices that have been consistently documented in security literature for decades. The vulnerability operates under the principle that the application trusts user-provided input without adequate validation, creating an environment where malicious files can be stored and executed on the target server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple file upload functionality, as it provides attackers with a direct path to remote code execution on the compromised system. Once an attacker successfully uploads a malicious file with an executable extension, they can access it directly through a web browser or HTTP request, potentially executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. This capability enables attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, gain access to sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks within the network. The attack vector aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for Exploit Public-Facing Application, and the T1059 category for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the uploaded files to execute commands on the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to prevent unauthorized file uploads and execution. Organizations should implement strict file type validation that explicitly blocks executable extensions and enforces whitelisting of allowed file types rather than relying on blacklisting approaches. The web server configuration must ensure that uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory and that proper access controls are implemented to prevent direct execution of uploaded content. Additionally, security patches should be applied immediately to update the FCKeditor component to versions that properly validate file uploads, and the application should be configured to use secure file handling practices that align with OWASP secure coding guidelines. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be enhanced to detect suspicious file upload activities and direct access attempts to uploaded files, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack.