HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2008-6659
MEDIUMPOC

CVE-2008-6659

CWE-22Published: April 7, 2009· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

5.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in Simple Machines Forum (SMF) 1.0 before 1.0.15 and 1.1 before 1.1.7 allows remote authenticated users to configure arbitrary local files for execution via directory traversal sequences in the value of the theme_dir field during a jsoption action, related to Sources/QueryString.php and Sources/Themes.php, as demonstrated by a local .gif file in attachments/ with PHP code that was uploaded through a profile2 action to index.php.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2008-6659 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2008-6659. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityP
IntegrityP
AvailabilityNone
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

simple_machines1 product(s)
simple machines forum
Source: NVD CPE · 14 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/32516
ADVISORYhttp://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=272861.0
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/32516
ADVISORYhttp://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=272861.0

All References (10)

→
http://osvdb.org/50072
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/32516Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32139Exploit
→
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=272861.0Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/7011
→
http://osvdb.org/50072
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/32516Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32139Exploit
→
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=272861.0Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/7011

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2008-6659
CVSS Score5.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-22
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedApr 7, 2009

Related CVEs (CWE-22)

CVE-2007-5005
10.0
CVE-2025-54261
10.0
CVE-2006-5487
10.0
CVE-2025-9118
10.0
CVE-2007-5364
10.0
CVE-2025-58321
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2008-6659 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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