CVE-2008-6826 in Ads Pro
Summary
by MITRE
dhtml.pl in MHF Media Pro allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the page parameter, as demonstrated using the (1) advert_top.htm or (2) advert_login.htm pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6826 represents a critical remote command execution flaw in MHF Media Pro's dhtml.pl script. This issue manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the page parameter within the dhtml.pl script, which is utilized in the advertisement templates advert_top.htm and advert_login.htm. When attackers manipulate the page parameter with shell metacharacters, the application processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, creating a pathway for arbitrary command injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from a classic input validation failure that aligns with CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution. The flaw exists because the application directly incorporates user-controllable input into system commands without proper encoding or filtering mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get interpreted by the underlying operating system when the dhtml.pl script processes the page parameter. This allows adversaries to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application user, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects two specific advertisement pages, indicating that the attack surface is somewhat limited but still significant since these pages are likely accessible to unauthenticated users. The attack chain typically involves an initial reconnaissance phase where attackers identify the vulnerable application, followed by crafting malicious payloads targeting the page parameter, and finally executing commands that can range from simple directory listings to full system takeover. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, and represents a critical weakness in the application's defense-in-depth strategy.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-controllable parameters, particularly those used in system command execution contexts. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameter validation that rejects or encodes dangerous characters such as semicolons, ampersands, pipes, and backticks. Additionally, privilege separation should be enforced to ensure that the web application runs with minimal required permissions. The use of secure coding practices including input filtering, output encoding, and proper command execution methods should be implemented across all application components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding guidelines and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in web applications, particularly those handling user-controllable data in contexts that interact with the operating system.