CVE-2008-6834 in cms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in fuzzylime (cms) 3.01 and 3.01a allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in (1) the s parameter to code/commupdate.php in a count action or (2) the heads parameter to code/newsheads.php. NOTE: the blog.php vector is already covered by CVE-2008-3164.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6834 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting fuzzylime content management system versions 3.01 and 3.01a. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters that control file inclusion operations, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to access arbitrary local files on the server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors within the fuzzylime CMS. The first vector targets the s parameter in the code/commupdate.php script during count actions, while the second vector exploits the heads parameter in code/newsheads.php. Both vectors utilize the .. (dot dot) sequence in file paths, which allows attackers to navigate up directory levels and access files outside the intended directory structure. This manipulation enables attackers to include and execute local files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. When combined with the directory traversal capability, this vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries can execute code through file inclusion mechanisms.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and file access control within the CMS. The application fails to properly sanitize user input before using it in file operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the file path resolution process. This weakness represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and inadequate access control measures. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the content management system, potentially compromising all content managed by the application, including user data, system configuration files, and potentially sensitive database credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the fuzzylime CMS to versions that address the directory traversal flaws. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious path traversal sequences from being processed. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file access permissions and implementing proper access controls for file inclusion operations. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious file path manipulation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications.