CVE-2009-4725 in Arab
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in modules/aljazeera/admin/setup.php in Arab Portal 2.2 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the module parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4725 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Arab Portal content management system version 2.2 and earlier. This weakness specifically affects the setup.php administrative module located in the modules/aljazeera/admin/ directory structure, creating a significant security risk when the vulnerable server configuration conditions are met. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied parameters from accessing arbitrary file paths within the server's file system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the specific server configuration where register_globals is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an environment where user-controllable input can directly influence the application's file inclusion behavior. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation within the module parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it in file inclusion operations. This allows the attacker to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, remote code execution, or complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using the affected Arab Portal versions, particularly those operating with the insecure configuration settings. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication and can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication, making it highly dangerous in production environments. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to read sensitive system files, access database credentials, execute malicious code, or escalate privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code through the file inclusion mechanism.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should disable register_globals and enable magic_quotes_gpc on all affected systems, though the most effective approach involves implementing robust parameter validation that explicitly restricts file inclusion operations to predefined, safe directories. Additionally, the application code should be updated to use secure file inclusion practices that prevent user input from influencing the target file paths. Security patches should be applied to upgrade to versions of Arab Portal that address this specific directory traversal vulnerability, while network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protective layers. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar weaknesses in other components of the system architecture.