CVE-2009-2177 in cms
Summary
by MITRE
code/display.php in fuzzylime (cms) 3.03a and earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to conduct directory traversal attacks and overwrite arbitrary files via a "....//" (dot dot) in the s parameter, which is collapsed into a "../" value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2177 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the fuzzylime content management system version 3.03a and earlier. This issue specifically affects systems where the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate file paths through crafted input. The vulnerability resides in the code/display.php component of the CMS, which processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. When attackers submit a specially crafted s parameter containing "....//" sequences, the application fails to properly normalize these inputs, allowing the malicious payload to be interpreted as directory traversal attempts. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities.
The technical execution of this attack involves the manipulation of the s parameter through HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable display.php script. The "....//" sequence is particularly effective because it exploits how PHP handles path normalization when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allowing attackers to bypass standard input filtering mechanisms. When the application processes this input, the malicious sequence gets collapsed into "../" which then enables attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access or modify files that should remain protected. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle user input directly. The attack vector demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input validation and path sanitization within the CMS's file handling routines.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2177 extends beyond simple directory traversal, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary file overwrite capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the application's file structure. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly amplified when the web server has write permissions to directories containing sensitive files, potentially enabling complete system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of fuzzylime CMS face substantial risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could potentially execute malicious code through file overwrite operations, and T1566 for spearphishing attachments, as the vulnerability could be exploited through malicious file uploads or modifications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2177 should prioritize immediate patching of the fuzzylime CMS to version 3.03b or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input sanitization. System administrators should also implement proper input validation at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before processing. The implementation of a web application firewall can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious path traversal attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling magic_quotes_gpc in their PHP configurations, as this setting provides a layer of protection against such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive file access permission reviews, ensuring that web servers operate with minimal necessary privileges and that sensitive directories are properly protected against unauthorized access. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities.