CVE-2009-2007 in Dokeos
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Dokeos 1.8.5, and possibly earlier, allow remote attackers to (1) read portions of arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) and a ..\ (dot dot backslash) in the lang parameter to main/exercice/hotspot_lang_conversion.php and (2) read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the doc_url parameter to main/exercice/Hpdownload.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2007 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Dokeos 1.8.5 and potentially earlier versions of this learning management system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's file handling processes, specifically exposing two distinct attack vectors through different PHP scripts. The first vulnerability manifests in the hotspot_lang_conversion.php file where an attacker can exploit directory traversal by manipulating the lang parameter with sequences containing .. or ..\ to access arbitrary files on the server. The second vulnerability occurs in the Hpdownload.php file where the doc_url parameter can be manipulated using .. sequences to read unauthorized files from the system. Both vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security weakness that allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information from the file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive user information stored within the Dokeos environment. An attacker exploiting these vulnerabilities could gain access to database connection strings, administrative credentials, user data, and other confidential information that would normally be protected by the application's security model. The remote nature of these attacks means that an attacker does not require physical access to the server or local network privileges to exploit these flaws, making them particularly dangerous in web-facing environments. These vulnerabilities align with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as they enable adversaries to enumerate and access files that should remain restricted to authorized users only.
The technical exploitation of these vulnerabilities relies on the absence of proper input sanitization and validation within the Dokeos application's parameter handling. When the application processes the lang and doc_url parameters without adequately filtering or validating the input, it allows attackers to manipulate the file paths used by the application to locate and retrieve files. This creates a scenario where user-supplied input directly influences the file system operations, enabling attackers to navigate upward in the directory structure using the .. notation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core functionality within the educational platform's exercise modules, suggesting that attackers could potentially access not only system files but also course materials, user submissions, and other educational content that should remain protected. Organizations using Dokeos should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and proper file access controls to prevent unauthorized file access and protect their educational data repositories from exploitation.