CVE-2003-1254 in Active PHP Bookmarks
Summary
by MITRE
Active PHP Bookmarks (APB) 1.1.01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via (1) head.php, (2) apb_common.php, or (3) apb_view_class.php by modifying the APB_SETTINGS parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1254 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Active PHP Bookmarks version 1.1.01, a web application designed for managing bookmarks through PHP. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insecure parameter handling within the application's core components, specifically affecting three key PHP files including head.php, apb_common.php, and apb_view_class.php. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious PHP code by manipulating the APB_SETTINGS parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation measures.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the application's failure to properly validate user-supplied input, creating a classic path traversal and code injection vulnerability. When attackers modify the APB_SETTINGS parameter to reference a remote URL containing malicious PHP code, the application attempts to include or execute this external content without proper security controls. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of insecure input handling. The weakness exists because the application does not implement proper input validation or output encoding before processing user-provided parameters that are intended to reference local files or settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on the affected web server. Successful exploitation could result in full system compromise, data theft, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, install malware, or use the compromised server as a launch point for attacking other systems. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but also the underlying web server infrastructure, potentially compromising all applications hosted on the same server. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on outdated web applications without proper security patches or updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1254 should focus on immediate patching of the Active PHP Bookmarks application to the latest secure version that addresses the input validation flaws. Organizations must implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including the use of allowlists for parameter values and strict validation of all user-supplied input. The application should be configured to use absolute paths for file includes rather than allowing relative paths or external URL references. Network-level defenses should include firewall rules that restrict access to vulnerable application components and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper parameter handling and input validation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP," emphasizing the need for both perimeter defense and application-level security controls. Regular security updates, proper access controls, and comprehensive testing of web applications are essential practices to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.