CVE-2008-6748 in Megacubo
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in Megacubo 5.0.7 allows remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code via the play action in a mega:// URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The CVE-2008-6748 vulnerability represents a critical server-side evaluation injection flaw discovered in Megacubo version 5.0.7, a popular media streaming application. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of mega:// URIs, specifically during the processing of the play action parameter. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code directly into the application's execution environment, potentially enabling complete system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before processing it as part of the application's execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-94 category of "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" in the context of PHP code execution. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication and can be exploited through simple URI manipulation, making it highly accessible to attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially formatted mega:// URI containing malicious PHP code within the play action parameter. When the Megacubo application processes this URI, it fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing the injected code to be executed within the context of the web server. The vulnerability is particularly severe because PHP code execution can provide attackers with complete control over the application server, enabling them to read sensitive files, execute system commands, establish backdoors, or pivot to other systems within the network. The lack of proper input validation means that any data passed through the play action parameter is directly interpreted and executed without adequate security controls. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper parameter sanitization and input filtering, which are fundamental security practices recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 standards for secure application development.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6748 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to media files, user data, and potentially sensitive system information stored on the affected server. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to network infrastructure, as compromised servers can serve as launching points for further attacks against internal networks. Organizations using Megacubo 5.0.7 are particularly vulnerable because the application's design does not implement proper input validation for URI parameters, creating a persistent security gap that remains exploitable until patched. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. Additionally, the lack of proper error handling and logging mechanisms in the vulnerable application can mask the exploitation attempts, making detection more difficult for security teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6748 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary recommendation is to update to a patched version of Megacubo that implements proper input validation and sanitization for all URI parameters. Organizations should also implement proper URI parsing and validation mechanisms that reject or sanitize any non-standard characters or sequences in URI parameters. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious URI patterns attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should implement comprehensive logging and monitoring of URI access patterns to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices including input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege in application design. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit exposure of vulnerable endpoints. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems, while adherence to security standards like NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 provides framework guidance for implementing robust security controls.