CVE-2012-0998 in Lepton
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in account/preferences.php in LEPTON before 1.1.4 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the language parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2019
The CVE-2012-0998 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the LEPTON content management system prior to version 1.1.4. This vulnerability resides in the account/preferences.php script where the application fails to properly validate user input parameters, specifically the language parameter. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion mechanism by inserting directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. When the application processes the language parameter without adequate sanitization, it becomes susceptible to arbitrary file inclusion attacks that can lead to remote code execution. This type of vulnerability falls 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 technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences in the language parameter. The application's insecure file handling mechanism processes these sequences and attempts to include files from unintended directories, potentially allowing access to sensitive system files or enabling the execution of arbitrary code. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive information stored outside the intended web root directory. The vulnerability essentially bypasses the application's intended file access controls and creates an opportunity for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using affected LEPTON versions, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can lead to complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a high-severity threat that can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application. Successful exploitation can result in data breaches, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as attackers can potentially modify or delete critical application files and access restricted system resources.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-0998 primarily focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. Organizations should immediately upgrade to LEPTON version 1.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation, using allowlists for acceptable input values, and employing secure coding practices can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The remediation strategy should include disabling unnecessary file inclusion features, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and address potential path traversal vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter for remote code execution, and T1566.002, which addresses spearphishing attacks through web applications, highlighting the importance of comprehensive security measures to protect against such threats.