CVE-2009-3425 in MaxCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in includes/inc.thcms_admin_dirtree.php in MaxCMS 3.11.20b allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the thCMS_root parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3425 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the MaxCMS 3.11.20b content management system. This weakness exists in the includes/inc.thcms_admin_dirtree.php file where the application fails to properly validate user input submitted through the thCMS_root parameter. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file path references and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure and system compromise. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited without authentication and can result in the disclosure of sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially user credentials stored within the application's directory structure.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and path validation mechanisms within the MaxCMS administrative interface. When the thCMS_root parameter is processed, the application does not properly filter or sanitize special characters such as ../ or ..\ that could be used to navigate upward through directory structures. This allows an attacker to craft malicious requests that bypass normal file access controls and retrieve files from locations outside the intended application scope. The vulnerability specifically affects the administrative directory tree functionality, which is typically used to manage and navigate the content management system's file structure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive files including database configuration files, application source code, and potentially system configuration files that could provide further attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to access not only application-specific files but also system-level resources that could contain sensitive information such as database connection strings, encryption keys, or administrative credentials. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities by examining the server's file structure and identifying other potential targets within the system. This could facilitate further attacks including privilege escalation, backdoor installation, or the exploitation of additional vulnerabilities discovered during the reconnaissance phase. The impact is particularly severe for organizations relying on MaxCMS 3.11.20b, as this vulnerability could provide attackers with complete access to the application's administrative functionality and underlying system resources.
Security mitigations for CVE-2009-3425 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file handling processes. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to a newer version of MaxCMS that addresses this directory traversal vulnerability. The implementation of proper path validation should include filtering out special characters and sequences that could be used for directory traversal attacks, such as ../, ..\, and similar patterns. Additionally, the application should employ a whitelist approach for file access, restricting file operations to predefined directories and ensuring that all user-supplied input is validated against a strict set of acceptable values. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit administrative functionality to authorized users only. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, emphasizing the reconnaissance aspect of such attacks. Regular security auditing and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future application versions.