CVE-2003-0320 in ttCMS
Summary
by MITRE
header.php in ttCMS 2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code by setting the ttcms_user_admin parameter to "1" and modifying the admin_root parameter to point to a URL that contains a Trojan horse header.inc.php script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0320 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in ttCMS version 2.3 and earlier systems. This vulnerability exists within the header.php file and demonstrates a classic insecure direct object reference issue combined with arbitrary code injection capabilities. The flaw allows remote attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious PHP code on the target system by manipulating specific parameters within the application's request handling mechanism. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the administrative parameter handling, creating an attack vector that can be leveraged without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of two key parameters within the ttCMS framework. When an attacker sets the ttcms_user_admin parameter to "1", they are essentially attempting to assume administrative privileges within the application. The second parameter, admin_root, serves as a critical component in the attack chain as it allows the attacker to specify a remote URL containing a malicious header.inc.php script. This design flaw demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient parameter sanitization, enabling attackers to redirect the application's inclusion mechanism to load external malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application level, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically corresponds to the system user running the web server software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, complete system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate database contents, modify application behavior, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against other systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates a lack of proper security controls in the application's architecture, particularly in how it handles user input and manages administrative functions. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability is highly valuable as it requires minimal reconnaissance and can be exploited remotely without needing to authenticate to the system, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying architectural issues that enabled the flaw. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates to ttCMS to version 2.4 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. System administrators should implement network-level controls including firewall rules to restrict access to administrative endpoints and monitor for suspicious parameter values in web application logs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and reflects patterns commonly seen in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security code reviews, and establishing proper input validation controls that prevent malicious parameter manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment.