CVE-2008-7215 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
The Image Manager in MOStlyCE before 2.4, as used in Mambo 4.6.3 and earlier, allows remote attackers to rename arbitrary files and cause a denial of service via modified file[NewFile][name], file[NewFile][tmp_name], and file[NewFile][size] parameters in a FileUpload command, which are used to modify equivalent variables in $_FILES that are accessed when the is_uploaded_file check fails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7215 represents a critical security flaw in the Image Manager component of MOStlyCE versions prior to 2.4, which was widely deployed in Mambo 4.6.3 and earlier versions. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of file upload parameters within the web application's file management functionality. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes file upload requests through the FileUpload command, where attackers can manipulate specific parameters within the file upload mechanism to gain unauthorized control over file operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of three critical parameters: file[NewFile][name], file[NewFile][tmp_name], and file[NewFile][size]. These parameters correspond directly to elements within the PHP $_FILES superglobal array, which contains information about uploaded files. When an attacker crafts malicious requests with modified values for these parameters, they can effectively override the legitimate file metadata that the application would normally generate during a standard file upload process. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous because it bypasses the is_uploaded_file() check, a fundamental PHP security mechanism designed to verify that files were properly uploaded via HTTP POST requests and not manipulated through other means.
This vulnerability creates a significant operational impact by enabling remote attackers to perform arbitrary file renaming operations within the target system's file structure. The ability to rename files opens the door to various malicious activities including overwriting critical system files, creating backdoors, or manipulating application behavior through strategic file placement. The denial of service component of this vulnerability occurs when attackers can cause the application to fail during file processing operations, potentially leading to complete service interruption. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle user uploads.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which addresses "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type," and demonstrates characteristics of CWE-77, "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command," as the attacker can manipulate command parameters to execute unintended operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1499.004 "Endpoint Denial of Service," representing both initial access and impact phases of an attack lifecycle. The flaw also intersects with T1059.001 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1078.004 "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" through potential post-exploitation activities that could leverage the compromised file management functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected systems to MOStlyCE 2.4 or later versions, which contain proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Organizations should implement strict file type validation and ensure that uploaded files undergo thorough security checks before being processed. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious file upload attempts, while application-level controls should enforce proper file naming conventions and prevent arbitrary file manipulation. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for file upload directories and regular security audits of file management components can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications that may result from successful exploitation of this vulnerability.