CVE-2008-6768 in Shopsystem-forum
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in admin/editor/images.php in K&S Shopsoftware allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in images/upload/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6768 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within the K&S Shopsoftware administration interface. This weakness exists in the admin/editor/images.php component where the application fails to properly validate file extensions and content types during the upload process. The vulnerability specifically affects the image upload functionality that is intended to handle media files for the online shop platform, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls designed to restrict file uploads to safe formats only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the file upload handler. Attackers can exploit this flaw by uploading malicious PHP files with extensions that are typically allowed for image uploads such as .php, .phtml, or other executable extensions. Once successfully uploaded to the images/upload/ directory, these files become accessible via direct web requests, enabling remote code execution on the target server. This represents a classic case of insufficient file type validation where the application relies on client-side checks or simple extension filtering rather than comprehensive content analysis.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6768 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with full control over the affected web server. Once an attacker successfully uploads and executes malicious code, they can perform various malicious activities including data theft, privilege escalation, server compromise, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary command execution, making it particularly dangerous as it enables attackers to manipulate the entire web application environment. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications accept untrusted files without proper validation and sanitization.
The attack vector for this vulnerability follows a predictable pattern where an attacker first identifies the vulnerable upload endpoint, prepares a malicious payload with an executable extension, and then uploads the file through the administrative interface. The subsequent access to the uploaded file via direct HTTP requests enables code execution, making this a straightforward yet highly dangerous exploit. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to establish persistent access and execute arbitrary code on target systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including proper file type validation, content type checking, and removal of executable extensions from upload directories. The recommended defenses include implementing a whitelist approach for file extensions, performing MIME type validation, and ensuring uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for administrative functions would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of defense-in-depth strategies and proper input validation practices in web application security, as highlighted by industry standards and best practices for preventing similar vulnerabilities in modern web applications.