CVE-2008-6825 in trixbox
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in user/index.php in Fonality trixbox CE 2.6.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the langChoice parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6825 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Fonality trixbox Community Edition 2.6.1 and earlier versions. This security weakness resides in the user/index.php component of the telephony system, which processes user language selection through the langChoice parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence, allowing unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can provide attackers with access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's file inclusion logic. When the langChoice parameter is processed without proper restrictions on directory traversal sequences, attackers can manipulate the parameter to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This allows them to include and execute files that should remain inaccessible to unauthorized users. The vulnerability specifically affects the language selection functionality, where the application dynamically includes language files based on user input, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through crafted malicious requests.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations deploying Fonality trixbox systems, particularly those in telecommunications and enterprise environments where VoIP infrastructure security is paramount. Attackers could leverage this weakness to access system configuration files, user credentials, telephony logs, and other sensitive data stored on the server. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit the vulnerability. This makes the attack vector particularly concerning for networked environments where the trixbox system may be exposed to external networks. The vulnerability could potentially lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to voice communications, and disruption of telephony services.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6825 should focus on immediate patching of the affected trixbox versions to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation measures that strictly filter and sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation can help limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security configurations should enforce strict directory boundaries for file operations and employ whitelisting approaches for language selection parameters. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the trixbox system to authorized administrative networks only. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables arbitrary code execution through manipulated file inclusion parameters. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in telephony infrastructure components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.