CVE-2002-2015 in Postnuke
Summary
by MITRE
PHP file inclusion vulnerability in user.php in PostNuke 0.703 allows remote attackers to include arbitrary files and possibly execute code via the caselist parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2015 represents a critical server-side include flaw in PostNuke version 0.703, specifically within the user.php script. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file inclusion operations, allowing attackers to inject malicious file paths that can result in arbitrary code execution or unauthorized data access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the caselist parameter within the user.php script, which serves as an entry point for attackers to specify external file paths that the application will attempt to include and execute. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-98 and CWE-20 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing both insecure direct object references and improper input validation. The attack vector leverages the application's trust in user input without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to traverse the file system and potentially access sensitive files or execute malicious code on the target server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when attackers successfully exploit the file inclusion mechanism. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the web server, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying application behavior, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its remote exploitability, meaning that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to initiate the attack, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the affected PostNuke installation to the latest secure version, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, and establishing secure file inclusion practices. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation to ensure that only expected file paths are accepted, utilize whitelisting approaches for file inclusion operations, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file inclusion attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web applications operate with minimal required permissions, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should also include monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to track file access patterns that may indicate malicious activity.