CVE-2014-125059 in sternenblog
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in sternenseemann sternenblog. This issue affects the function blog_index of the file main.c. The manipulation of the argument post_path leads to file inclusion. The attack may be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 0.1.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is cf715d911d8ce17969a7926dea651e930c27e71a. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217613 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: This case is rather theoretical and probably won't happen. Maybe only on obscure Web servers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2023
This vulnerability represents a classic file inclusion flaw that exists within the sternenseemann sternenblog software, specifically within the blog_index function of main.c. The issue stems from inadequate input validation when processing the post_path argument, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted input can trigger unauthorized file inclusion operations. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-98 category, which describes improper control of resource identifiers, and are particularly dangerous because they can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive files on the affected system. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable, meaning that an attacker does not require physical access to the target system to initiate the attack, significantly expanding the potential threat surface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the post_path parameter, which likely gets directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or validation. When an attacker provides malicious input through this parameter, the application may attempt to include files from unexpected locations, potentially leading to code execution, information disclosure, or denial of service conditions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over network protocols, allowing remote exploitation from any location with internet connectivity. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in network services, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters for execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially allow attackers to access sensitive system information, manipulate content, or even escalate privileges if the application runs with elevated permissions. The affected component's design appears to lack proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, which are fundamental security controls recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The patch referenced in the advisory, identified by the hash cf715d911d8ce17969a7926dea651e930c27e71a, represents a fix that likely implements proper parameter validation and sanitization to prevent the exploitation of this specific code path. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade as it addresses a remote code execution vulnerability that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of their web applications.
While the vulnerability description notes that this case is "rather theoretical and probably won't happen" and may only occur on "obscure Web servers," such assessments are often misleading in security contexts. The nature of file inclusion vulnerabilities makes them particularly attractive to attackers due to their potential for severe impact, and the fact that they are remote exploitable means that even obscure configurations can become targets. The recommendation to upgrade to version 0.1.0 reflects the standard security practice of maintaining current software versions to protect against known vulnerabilities. The VDB-217613 identifier serves as a reference point for vulnerability management systems and security researchers, helping to track and monitor the prevalence of this specific flaw across different deployments. Security teams should not dismiss this vulnerability based on theoretical considerations, as the potential for exploitation exists whenever the vulnerable component is deployed in any production environment.