phpwiki Local File Inclusion Scanner

PhpWiki is an application used by developers and content creators for collaborative documentation and content management. It allows multiple users to contribute to web content in a wiki-style format, which promotes a communal approach to content creation and management. Businesses, educational institutions, and community forums frequently use PhpWiki to facilitate the easy handling of vast informational resources. The software is highly adaptable and can be customized to fit various documentation needs within an organization. Its open-source nature makes it a popular choice for budget-conscious users who require robust content management solutions. PhpWiki is crucial for environments that demand a streamlined approach to documenting and sharing knowledge.

Local File Inclusion (LFI) is a serious security vulnerability that allows attackers to include files on a server through the web browser. This vulnerability is caused by insufficient sanitization of user inputs in web applications. Attackers can exploit LFI to read sensitive configuration files, access stored content, or modify the operations of the vulnerable application. Such vulnerabilities often serve as entry points for more severe attacks, including code execution and data leakage. The presence of LFI in an application can lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of server-side content, posing significant risks to data integrity and confidentiality. Exploitability generally depends on the security configurations and file permissions on the server.

The Local File Inclusion vulnerability in PhpWiki 1.5.4 is due to improper input validation within the 'index.php' endpoint. This allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to include and retrieve the content of local server files, thereby compromising the integrity of sensitive information stored on the server. By exploiting this vulnerability, attackers can manipulate path parameters to navigate to directories unintentionally exposed by the application. This can lead to unauthorized access to configuration files, passwords, and other sensitive data. PhpWiki's vulnerability makes it a suitable target for malicious users seeking to exploit security loopholes to read system-critical files. Proper hardening and input validation mechanisms are essential to combat potential exploits stemming from this flaw.

Exploitation of the Local File Inclusion vulnerability in PhpWiki may lead to disclosure of sensitive data, enabling unauthorized access to system files and directories. An attacker could obtain confidential information such as credentials, application configurations, and may even modify server-side scripts. The existence of such vulnerabilities can escalate to more intensive attacks, such as remote code execution. Enterprises relying on PhpWiki for knowledge management could experience significant information leaks, resulting in reputational damage and potential financial losses. Appropriate mitigation strategies must be implemented to guard against these detrimental outcomes.

REFERENCES

• https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/38027