CVE-2002-2249 in News Evolution
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in News Evolution 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP commands via the neurl parameter to (1) backend.php, (2) screen.php, or (3) admin/modules/comment.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2249 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the News Evolution 2.0 content management system that exposes systems to arbitrary code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the neurl parameter in three key backend scripts including backend.php, screen.php, and admin/modules/comment.php, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise affected systems. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's parameter handling, allowing attackers to inject malicious file paths that are subsequently included and executed by the PHP interpreter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically the manipulation of file inclusion parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that include remote file references, potentially leveraging this vulnerability to execute commands on the target server through the PHP include mechanism. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of several attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The affected parameters in the backend.php, screen.php, and comment.php files demonstrate how insufficient validation of user-supplied input can lead to complete system compromise when combined with PHP's file inclusion capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to upload malicious payloads, establish persistent backdoors, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate execution environment but also potentially exposes underlying database connections and administrative interfaces. Organizations running News Evolution 2.0 are particularly vulnerable since the flaw exists in core application functionality rather than in isolated components, making it a high-priority target for exploitation. The attack surface includes any system where the affected parameters are processed, potentially affecting web applications that rely on dynamic content inclusion and user input processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2249 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious file paths from being processed. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing remote URL references or suspicious file path patterns. The recommended approach includes disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configuration, implementing proper input sanitization routines, and applying the latest security patches from the vendor. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting the affected parameters. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation as emphasized in OWASP Top Ten security controls, particularly focusing on preventing injection flaws and ensuring proper parameter handling in web applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components that may present analogous risks to system integrity and data security.