CVE-2008-6978 in aspWebAlbum
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Full Revolution aspWebAlbum 3.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in pics/, related to the uploadmedia action in album.asp.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6978 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the Full Revolution aspWebAlbum 3.2 web application. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file upload functionality, specifically affecting the uploadmedia action in the album.asp component. The vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution attacks by allowing malicious actors to bypass normal file upload restrictions and place executable files directly into the web server's document root directory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward yet dangerous process where attackers can upload files with executable extensions such as .asp, .aspx, .php, or .jsp to the pics/ directory. Once successfully uploaded, these malicious files can be accessed directly through HTTP requests targeting the specific file path, enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the web application. This flaw directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the weakness of unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type, and represents a classic example of insufficient restriction of files that can be uploaded to a system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with complete server control capabilities. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute system commands, access sensitive data, modify or delete files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects the web application's integrity and availability, as attackers can use the uploaded files to launch further attacks against the internal network or to maintain unauthorized access. This represents a significant concern from an attacker's perspective, as it provides a direct path to system compromise without requiring additional authentication or complex exploitation techniques.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including restricting file upload capabilities to only allow safe file types, implementing strict file name validation, and ensuring proper file extension checking and content verification. The application should enforce directory traversal restrictions and implement proper access controls for the upload directory. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for web server accounts and regularly updating and patching vulnerable applications are essential mitigation strategies. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious upload activities and direct file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards, particularly focusing on preventing dangerous file type uploads and ensuring proper file handling mechanisms within web applications.