CVE-2009-4986 in In-Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in In-Portal 4.3.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the env parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4986 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the In-Portal content management system version 4.3.1. This vulnerability specifically affects systems where the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating a dangerous condition that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. The flaw exists within the index.php script and exploits the env parameter to manipulate file access paths. Directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature are classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanism. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application susceptible to malicious input manipulation. Attackers can craft specially formatted URLs containing .. (dot dot) sequences in the env parameter to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file operations, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information from the server's file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files on the compromised system. This could potentially expose sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data that may lead to further exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability enables attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially gain complete control over the affected system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use the discovered files to craft more sophisticated attacks or extract valuable information for lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4986 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes any input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. Organizations should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input sanitization measures. Additionally, the application should employ proper access controls and file system permissions to limit what files can be accessed through the web application. System administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns in HTTP requests. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10, specifically addressing the failure to sanitize inputs that can lead to path traversal attacks. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications and ensure that proper security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized file access and information disclosure.