CVE-2008-6958 in Discuz!
Summary
by MITRE
wap/index.php in Crossday Discuz! Board 6.x and 7.x allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code via the creditsformula parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6958 affects Crossday Discuz! Board versions 6.x and 7.x, specifically within the wap/index.php component where the creditsformula parameter presents a critical security flaw. This issue represents a classic remote code execution vulnerability that enables authenticated attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected system. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data passed through the creditsformula parameter, which is processed without proper security controls that would prevent malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper parameter validation within the mobile web interface of the Discuz! forum software. When an authenticated user submits a specially crafted creditsformula parameter containing malicious PHP code, the application fails to sanitize or escape the input before processing it. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the server with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, making it less accessible than fully public exploits but still highly dangerous within trusted user contexts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for forum administrators and users who may be targeted by attackers with access to legitimate accounts. The potential consequences include data breaches, unauthorized access to user information, server compromise, and possible lateral movement within network environments where the forum is deployed. The vulnerability affects both version 6.x and 7.x of the Discuz! software, indicating a widespread issue that would impact numerous organizations running legacy forum systems. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to CWE-94 in the Common Weakness Enumeration, which classifies improper validation of critical input parameters as a fundamental security weakness.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the execution and privilege escalation phases of cyber attacks. Attackers leveraging this flaw could potentially establish persistent access through the execution of malicious code, while the authenticated nature of the exploit reduces detection likelihood compared to public exploits. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual PHP code execution patterns as part of their defensive strategies. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure input handling and the principle of least privilege in web application development, where even authenticated users should not be allowed to execute arbitrary code on the server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Discuz! versions to the latest available releases, which would contain proper input sanitization and validation controls. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewall rules to filter suspicious input patterns, restricting the functionality of the mobile interface for users who do not require it, and conducting regular security audits of application code can help prevent similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing user activity monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and ensure that all user accounts maintain strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of unauthorized access that could lead to exploitation.