CVE-2002-1878 in w-Agora
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in w-Agora 4.1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the inc_dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1878 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the w-Agora 4.1.3 web application that fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of the inc_dir parameter, which is used to specify the directory containing include files. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code into the application's execution flow by manipulating this parameter, creating a direct pathway for remote code execution attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input is directly concatenated into a file inclusion statement without proper validation or sanitization. In w-Agora 4.1.3, the inc_dir parameter accepts external input that is subsequently used in an include or require statement, allowing attackers to specify any file path that can be resolved by the web server. This creates a scenario where an attacker can inject malicious PHP code by referencing a remote file or local file that contains malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server environment. Through remote code execution capabilities, adversaries can upload additional malicious files, establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially compromise the entire hosting infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, as attackers can modify application behavior, steal sensitive data, or disrupt services entirely. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to web applications.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify vulnerable applications, followed by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the remote file inclusion capability. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was particularly prevalent in older web application versions where input validation mechanisms were either absent or insufficiently implemented. The remediation strategy involves implementing strict input validation, utilizing whitelisting approaches for directory parameters, and ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized before being used in file inclusion operations. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring web servers to restrict file inclusion operations to specific, trusted directories only, thereby limiting the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in future deployments.