CVE-2003-1313 in Mailing List Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in EternalMart Mailing List Manager (EMLM) 1.32 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in (1) the emml_admin_path parameter to admin/auth.php or (2) the emml_path parameter to emml_email_func.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The CVE-2003-1313 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw discovered in the EternalMart Mailing List Manager version 1.32, a web-based email list management system that was prevalent in the early 2000s. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw specifically affects two distinct entry points within the application's codebase, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple attack vectors for exploitation. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution issue that can be leveraged by attackers without requiring authentication or local access to the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied input parameters within the authentication and email function modules. When the emml_admin_path parameter is passed to admin/auth.php or the emml_path parameter is processed by emml_email_func.php, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file inclusion operations. This allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP code. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-98, which describes improper file inclusion vulnerabilities where the application includes files based on user input without adequate validation, and aligns with CWE-20, which covers input validation issues that permit malicious data to be processed as executable code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation enables unauthorized individuals to upload and execute malicious payloads, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects systems where the application is deployed with PHP versions that support remote file inclusion, typically those running PHP 4.3.0 or later versions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish backdoors, create persistent access points, and potentially use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge of the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1313 should focus on immediate patching of the EternalMart Mailing List Manager application to version 1.33 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the remote file inclusion vulnerabilities. System administrators should implement input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The implementation of PHP's allow_url_fopen and allow_url_include directives should be carefully configured to prevent remote file inclusion attacks, with these settings typically disabled in production environments. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and blocking requests that attempt to include external resources. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, as well as regular security audits of web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and MITRE ATT&CK framework categories related to command injection and remote code execution techniques.