Vulnerability Note VU#774686

phpBB vulnerable to file disclosure

Overview

The phpBB input validation methods may fail to sanitize user input resulting in a disclosure of arbitrary file data.

I. Description

phpBB is a customizable open source bulletin board package. It contains functionality that allows users to specify graphic files for use as "avatars." These files may be located on a remote server or on a filesystem. However, a local file upload path using the default, temporary remote server name can cause the remote phpBB server to interpret a file local to the server as the avatar file. This file will then be made available to theuser for download or viewing.

II. Impact

If the remote avatar and remote avatar uploading functions are enabled (which are disabled by default), a remote, authenticated attacker who is allowed to specify remote avatars may be able to access arbitrary files on the phpBB server with the permissions of the web server.

III. Solution

Apply an update

phpBB versions 2.0.12 and later do not contain this flaw. The phpBB web page contains additional information and downloads.

As a workaround, administrators may disable remote avatars and remote avatar uploading. These features are disabled by default.

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Notified	Date Updated
PHPBB	Vulnerable	24-Feb-2005

References

http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=204&type=vulnerabilities
http://secunia.com/advisories/14362/
http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=265423

Credit

Thanks to AnthraX101 for reporting this vulnerability.

This document was written by Ken MacInnis.

Other Information

Date Public:	2005-02-22
Date First Published:	2005-02-25
Date Last Updated:	2005-03-17
CERT Advisory:
CVE-ID(s):	CAN-2005-0259
NVD-ID(s):	CAN-2005-0259
US-CERT Technical Alerts:
Metric:	3.75
Document Revision:	10

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