CVE-2009-0602 in WikkiTikkiTavi
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in upload.php in WikkiTikkiTavi 1.11 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 img/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0602 represents a critical security flaw in the WikkiTikkiTavi 1.11 web application that enables remote code execution through unrestricted file upload capabilities. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the upload.php script, which fails to properly verify the file types being uploaded to the server. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's image handling functionality where users can upload files through the img/ directory structure, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls and deploy potentially harmful code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker uploads a file with an executable extension such as .php, .asp, or .jsp to the server through the vulnerable upload.php endpoint. The application does not perform adequate checks to prevent the upload of files with potentially dangerous extensions or content types, allowing the malicious payload to be stored on the web server. Once uploaded, the attacker can directly access the malicious file by requesting it through a direct HTTP GET request to the img/ directory, where the file is stored, thereby enabling remote code execution on the target system. This flaw directly maps to CWE-434 which describes the improper restriction of uploads of executable code, and represents a classic example of insecure file upload vulnerabilities that have plagued web applications for decades.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Once an attacker successfully executes code on the server, they can establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, compromise other systems within the network, and potentially use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks against the broader infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal skill to exploit and can be automated through various attack frameworks, making it a popular target for both skilled and less experienced threat actors. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of unauthorized access to gain initial access to systems, and T1059 which covers the execution of commands through various means including web shells.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and implement comprehensive defensive measures to prevent similar issues in the future. Organizations should immediately implement proper file type validation by checking file extensions against a whitelist of allowed formats, implementing content-type checks, and using secure random naming conventions for uploaded files to prevent predictable paths. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored outside the web root directory or at minimum, have restrictive permissions that prevent direct execution. The application should also implement proper MIME type detection, perform virus scanning on uploaded content, and ensure that all file uploads are properly sanitized and validated before being accepted. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include input validation, proper access controls, and regular security testing to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.