CVE-2009-3492 in Loggix Project
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Loggix Project 9.4.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the pathToIndex parameter to (1) Calendar.php, (2) Comment.php, (3) Rss.php and (4) Trackback.php in lib/Loggix/Module/; and (5) modules/downloads/lib/LM_Downloads.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The CVE-2009-3492 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Loggix Project versions 9.4.5 and earlier, demonstrating a classic security weakness in web application input validation. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting the pathToIndex parameter across multiple PHP files in the lib/Loggix/Module/ directory structure. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that get processed as PHP include statements, effectively bypassing normal application security controls and creating a pathway for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization and validation within the Loggix Project's module handling system. When the application processes requests to Calendar.php, Comment.php, Rss.php, Trackback.php, and the LM_Downloads.php file, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the pathToIndex parameter before using it in include or require statements. This creates a condition where attacker-controlled URLs can be executed within the context of the web server, allowing for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a remote file inclusion (RFI) issue, which aligns with CWE-88 and CWE-94 categories in the Common Weakness Enumeration system, specifically addressing improper input validation and code injection vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3492 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, an attacker can execute malicious PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to full system control, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects multiple core application modules, increasing the attack surface and making it more difficult for administrators to mitigate the issue completely. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability, including immediate patching of affected Loggix Project installations to version 9.4.6 or later. Input validation should be strengthened across all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in include statements, implementing strict whitelisting mechanisms that only permit known good values. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious URL patterns and preventing exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP), emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security testing and monitoring. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar input validation issues in other applications, as this type of flaw commonly occurs in legacy web applications where security practices were not adequately implemented.