CVE-2018-20647 in Car Rental Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Car Rental Script 2.0.8 has directory traversal via a direct request for a listing of an image directory such as an images/ directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20647 affects PHP Scripts Mall Car Rental Script version 2.0.8 and represents a directory traversal flaw that allows unauthorized access to sensitive files and directories. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and directory traversal attacks that have been consistently documented in security frameworks including CWE-22 and CWE-23. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a user makes a direct request for a listing of an image directory such as images/, which can potentially expose the underlying file system structure and allow access to files that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the car rental script's file handling mechanisms. When an attacker requests a directory listing through a crafted URL parameter or direct access pattern, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, allowing the traversal to occur. This flaw enables attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy and potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, source code files, or other confidential data that should not be accessible through normal application interfaces. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovery of file and directory permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the ability to gain unauthorized access to the file system and potentially escalate their privileges within the compromised environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as database connection strings, administrator credentials, or other critical system files that could lead to further compromise of the application and underlying infrastructure. The exposure of directory listings also provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information about the application's file structure, which can aid in planning more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where the application is deployed with default configurations or where sensitive data is stored in predictable locations within the file system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal attempts. Developers should employ secure coding practices that enforce strict validation of all user inputs and implement proper access controls that restrict file system access to authorized users only. The application should be configured to use secure file handling mechanisms that prevent path traversal attacks by rejecting or normalizing input that contains directory traversal sequences. Additionally, implementing proper directory permissions and ensuring that sensitive files are stored outside of the web root directory can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Security measures should also include regular security testing and code reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can help detect and block malicious directory traversal attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines to prevent such fundamental security flaws from being introduced into web applications.