CVE-2010-4931 in PHP-Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Directory traversal vulnerability in maincore.php in PHP-Fusion allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the folder_level parameter. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by a reliable third party.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4931 represents a directory traversal flaw located within the maincore.php file of the PHP-Fusion content management system. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing. The specific vulnerability manifests when the folder_level parameter receives malicious input containing .. (dot dot) sequences, which allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The issue has been disputed by a reliable third party, indicating potential disagreement over the severity classification or exploitability of the reported vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when PHP-Fusion processes user input through the folder_level parameter without adequate sanitization or validation. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to include directory traversal sequences that bypass normal file access controls. When the application processes these malicious inputs, it fails to properly validate or filter the path components, allowing the system to interpret and execute the requested file inclusion operations. This vulnerability specifically targets the maincore.php file, which serves as a central component in the PHP-Fusion application architecture, making it a critical point of exploitation. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system by including local files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for the execution of malicious code through file inclusion and T1083 for the discovery of files and directories.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4931 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. This could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the PHP-Fusion installation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from outside the network perimeter without requiring local access or authentication credentials. Organizations running affected versions of PHP-Fusion face significant risk of unauthorized access, potential data breaches, and system infiltration. The disputed nature of this vulnerability suggests that the original assessment of its exploitability or impact may have been questioned by security researchers, potentially indicating either insufficient evidence of real-world exploitation or disagreement over the severity classification. However, the fundamental directory traversal flaw remains a serious security concern that should be addressed through proper input validation and access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures within the PHP-Fusion application. The primary defense involves ensuring that all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations, undergo strict validation to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. Organizations should implement proper access control mechanisms that restrict file access to only authorized directories and files. The recommended approach includes using allowlists of permitted values rather than denylists, implementing proper path normalization techniques, and ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. Additionally, applying the latest security patches and updates from PHP-Fusion developers remains crucial for addressing known vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file inclusion patterns and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, ensuring that input validation mechanisms are consistently applied across all file handling operations.