CVE-2009-1502 in S-Cms
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in plugin.php in S-Cms 1.1 Stable and 1.5.2 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1502 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the S-Cms content management system version 1.1 Stable and 1.5.2. This security weakness resides in the plugin.php file and enables remote attackers to manipulate the page parameter through carefully crafted directory traversal sequences. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file access paths, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which classifies directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious URLs containing sequences such as ../ or ..\ that traverse the file system directory structure. When the plugin.php script processes these malformed parameters without proper validation, it inadvertently includes and executes local files that should remain protected. This behavior creates a pathway for attackers to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execute malicious code with the privileges of the web application. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices where user-supplied data flows directly into file inclusion functions without adequate filtering or normalization.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-1502 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to server resources, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, or even full system control. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that S-Cms was designed as a web-based content management solution, making it accessible over the internet. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized file access, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script injection, T1083 for file and directory discovery, and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of remote services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1502 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates provided by S-Cms developers to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation that rejects or normalizes directory traversal sequences can prevent exploitation attempts. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious file path patterns, while input filtering mechanisms must be strengthened to ensure all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being processed. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and implement principle of least privilege access controls. The remediation process should include comprehensive code reviews to prevent similar issues in future development cycles and adherence to secure coding practices that emphasize input validation and output encoding.