CVE-2009-4592 in base
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in base_local_rules.php in Basic Analysis and Security Engine (BASE) before 1.4.4 allows remote attackers to include arbitrary local files via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4592 affects the Basic Analysis and Security Engine (BASE) application, specifically within the base_local_rules.php component. This represents a critical security flaw that exists in versions prior to 1.4.4 of the BASE application, which is widely used for security information and event management. The vulnerability manifests as an unspecified but significant weakness that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary local file inclusion attacks against systems running affected versions of BASE. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file handling processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unknown vectors that allow attackers to manipulate the base_local_rules.php script to include arbitrary local files on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of local file inclusion attacks, which are classified as CWE-98 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system and are closely related to CWE-22 for path traversal attacks. The attack mechanism typically involves manipulation of file inclusion parameters that are processed by the application without proper validation, allowing attackers to specify local file paths that should not normally be accessible. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways may exist for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as defenders cannot easily predict or secure against all potential attack surfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive system files, and escalate privileges within the affected environment. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access to networks running vulnerable BASE installations. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection, as attackers could leverage the file inclusion capability to execute malicious code on the target system. Organizations using BASE for security monitoring and incident response would face significant risks, as the compromise of the base application could undermine the entire security infrastructure and provide attackers with access to critical log data and security event information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected BASE installations to version 1.4.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of BASE applications to untrusted networks, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary file inclusion features, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect anomalous file access patterns. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential exploitation of this vulnerability, ensuring that appropriate containment and recovery measures are in place. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the security infrastructure.