# CVE-2008-6544: Code injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary PHP code in Simple Machines Forum via remote file inclusion in theme directory parameters.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 30 Mar 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-v6m2-7m86-x8p4

## What is CVE-2008-6544?

CVE-2008-6544 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 30 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Simple Machines Forum (SMF) 1.1.4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) settings[default_theme_dir] parameter to Sources/Subs-Graphics.php and (2) settings[default_theme_dir] parameter to Sources/Themes.php.  NOTE: CVE and multiple third parties dispute this issue because the files contain a protection mechanism against direct request

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-6544?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Simple Machines Simple Machines Forum.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-6544?

No fix has been published for CVE-2008-6544 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2008-6544 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-6544 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Simple Machines Forum (SMF) 1.1.4 - Multiple Remote File Inclusions (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2008-6741](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-6741/): SQL injection in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2008-3072](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3072/): Weak cryptography in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2008-3073](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3073/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2007-3308](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-3308/): Security feature bypass in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2007-3309](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-3309/): Code injection in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-6544 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-6544 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 30 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-6544 exists.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-6544/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-6544/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-6544
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-6544
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-6544

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-6544/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.