CVE-2002-2319 in MySimpleNews
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in users.php in MySimpleNews allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code and HTML via the (1) LOGIN, (2) DATA, and (3) MESS parameters, which are inserted into news.php3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical static code injection flaw in the MySimpleNews application's users.php script that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code and inject malicious HTML content. The vulnerability specifically affects the LOGIN, DATA, and MESS parameters which are processed and subsequently inserted into the news.php3 file without proper input validation or sanitization mechanisms. The flaw resides in the application's failure to implement adequate security controls to prevent malicious data from being interpreted as executable code rather than mere user input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied parameters within the application's code execution flow. When attackers provide malicious input through the vulnerable parameters, the application directly incorporates this data into the news.php3 file without sanitization, creating a condition where PHP code can be executed within the context of the web server. This represents a classic example of a code injection vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of executing arbitrary code or commands, and specifically relates to the improper neutralization of special elements used in code execution contexts. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary PHP commands on the affected server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject HTML content that may be executed in the context of other users' browsers, creating cross-site scripting opportunities. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can target the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution and T1566 for credential harvesting through various attack vectors. The lack of input sanitization creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures across all user-supplied parameters. The application must enforce strict parameter validation to prevent malicious code from being processed as executable content. Implementing proper output encoding for all dynamic content insertion points will prevent the execution of injected code. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts known good input patterns and rejecting all other data. Additionally, the application should employ proper separation of concerns by not allowing user input to directly influence code execution paths. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. The implementation of web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense against such attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.