CVE-2018-20629 in Charity Donation Script readymadeb2bscript
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Charity Donation Script readymadeb2bscript has directory traversal via a direct request for a listing of an uploads directory such as the wp-content/uploads/2018/12 directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
This vulnerability exists within the PHP Scripts Mall Charity Donation Script version 1.0, specifically affecting the file listing functionality that allows unauthorized access to sensitive directories. The flaw manifests when a remote attacker can directly request directory listings for upload directories such as wp-content/uploads/2018/12 without proper authentication or authorization checks. This represents a classic directory traversal vulnerability that falls under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to enumerate and potentially access files stored in the WordPress uploads directory, which may contain sensitive user data, configuration files, or other system artifacts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of input validation and access control mechanisms within the script's file listing functionality. When users request directory listings, the application fails to sanitize or validate the requested path, allowing arbitrary directory traversal. This weakness can be leveraged to access not only the intended upload directories but potentially other system directories if the application's path resolution is not properly constrained. The impact is particularly severe in WordPress environments where upload directories often contain user-uploaded content, media files, and potentially sensitive data that could be exploited for further attacks or information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised system. An attacker could potentially access uploaded files that contain sensitive information, configuration details, or even executable files that could be leveraged for privilege escalation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1005 (Data from Local System), representing both reconnaissance and data extraction capabilities. The exposure of upload directories could lead to the compromise of user accounts, especially if the uploaded files contain credentials or sensitive personal information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control measures within the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input to prevent directory traversal attempts and implementing strict access controls that ensure users can only access directories they are authorized to view. Additionally, the application should employ proper authentication mechanisms and validate the requested paths against a whitelist of allowed directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious directory traversal attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as this type of weakness often indicates broader security design flaws that could affect other components of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and access control in preventing unauthorized access to system resources, and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.