CVE-2009-5089 in IdeaCart
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in IdeaCart 0.02 and 0.02a allows remote attackrs to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The CVE-2009-5089 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the IdeaCart e-commerce platform version 0.02 and 0.02a. This vulnerability exists within the index.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being used to construct file paths. The flaw specifically manifests when the page parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. which allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is a fundamental security weakness that has plagued web applications for decades. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure. An attacker who successfully exploits this directory traversal flaw can gain access to critical system information that may lead to further exploitation. The vulnerability allows for reading files that could contain database connection strings, application configuration settings, user credentials, and potentially even source code that might reveal additional attack vectors. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in e-commerce environments where sensitive customer data, payment information, and business-critical data are often stored. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise to execute, making it a popular target for automated scanning tools and script kiddies. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's file handling routines.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of inadequate input sanitization and improper file access controls. The attack pattern aligns with common threat actor methodologies documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Path Traversal" which is categorized under the broader domain of "Credential Access" and "Defense Evasion". Organizations running affected versions of IdeaCart should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper file access controls, and the implementation of a web application firewall rule to block directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in file access operations. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the need for regular security assessments and the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters including the page parameter in this case. Application developers should employ whitelisting techniques where possible, restricting file access to a predefined set of allowed files rather than dynamically constructing file paths from user input. Server-side file access controls should be enforced to ensure that file operations are restricted to the intended directories and that traversal sequences are properly filtered or rejected. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect attempts to exploit such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and the importance of following security guidelines such as those provided by OWASP and NIST in preventing common web application security flaws. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of conducting regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.