CVE-2003-1148 in Les Visiteurs
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in J-Pierre DEZELUS Les Visiteurs 2.0.1, as used in phpMyConferences (phpMyConference) 8.0.2 and possibly other products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the lvc_include_dir parameter to (1) config.inc.php or (2) new-visitor.inc.php in common/visiteurs/include/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1148 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the Les Visiteurs 2.0.1 component when integrated into phpMyConferences 8.0.2 and potentially other applications. This vulnerability resides in the parameter validation mechanisms of the web application's inclusion functions, specifically within the lvc_include_dir parameter handling. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs into the application's include path, thereby allowing execution of remote PHP code on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or injection attack, and more specifically maps to CWE-94, representing improper control of generation of code, where the application dynamically includes code without proper validation. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate input sanitization and validation of user-supplied parameters that are directly used in include or require statements within the PHP application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it as the lvc_include_dir parameter to either config.inc.php or new-visitor.inc.php files located within the common/visiteurs/include/ directory structure. When the application processes this parameter, it directly includes the remote file without validating its contents or origin, creating a path traversal scenario that allows remote code execution. The attacker can leverage this by hosting malicious PHP code on a remote server and referencing it through the vulnerable parameter, effectively bypassing local file access restrictions and gaining unauthorized control over the vulnerable system. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic example of a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in web environments. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services to execute code, and T1059, representing command and scripting interpreter usage for execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1148 is severe and far-reaching, as successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the affected web server. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects not only the specific phpMyConferences installation but also any other product that incorporates the vulnerable Les Visiteurs 2.0.1 component, creating a widespread risk across multiple applications. Organizations running affected software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of web content, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate exploitation as it can serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation. Given that this vulnerability was discovered in 2003, it represents a legacy issue that highlights the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of dynamic code inclusion without adequate security controls. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected applications, implementation of proper parameter validation, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and prevent such attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all dynamic includes are properly validated and sanitized against known malicious patterns.