CVE-2009-0570 in Mailist
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in send.php in Ninja Designs Mailist 3.0, when register_globals is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the load parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0570 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the send.php script of Ninja Designs Mailist version 3.0. This weakness stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where PHP's register_globals directive is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an environment where malicious input can be directly interpreted and executed by the web application. The flaw manifests when an attacker manipulates the load parameter through directory traversal sequences using .. (dot dot) characters, enabling them to navigate the file system and access arbitrary local files. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the load parameter in the send.php script, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file inclusion operations. When register_globals is enabled, user-supplied GET or POST parameters are automatically converted into global variables, eliminating the need for explicit variable assignment. Combined with the absence of magic_quotes_gpc, which normally escapes special characters in user input, attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass normal input filtering. The directory traversal technique allows attackers to move up the directory hierarchy and access files outside the intended application directory, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execution of arbitrary code. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter through PowerShell, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized file access and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established. Attackers could access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other critical system information that would otherwise remain protected. The vulnerability also enables attackers to upload and execute malicious files, potentially establishing backdoors or other persistent access mechanisms. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Ninja Designs Mailist face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise, particularly when the application is deployed in environments where the vulnerable PHP configurations are present. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that the vulnerability affects not just the application itself but also the underlying operating system through direct file system access. Remediation efforts must address both the immediate vulnerability through input validation and sanitization, as well as the underlying PHP configuration issues that enable such attacks to succeed. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation, disable dangerous PHP configurations, and apply security patches to prevent exploitation of this and similar directory traversal vulnerabilities.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web applications. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly simple configuration issues can create critical security weaknesses that significantly impact system security posture. Security practitioners should recognize that directory traversal vulnerabilities often indicate deeper architectural issues in application design, including insufficient input validation, improper privilege management, and inadequate security controls. The vulnerability also underscores the critical nature of PHP security configurations, as the combination of register_globals enabled and magic_quotes_gpc disabled creates an environment particularly susceptible to various injection attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing procedures including static code analysis, dynamic application security testing, and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The presence of such vulnerabilities in widely used applications emphasizes the need for continuous security monitoring and rapid patch management processes to maintain effective defense against evolving threats.