CVE-2003-1385 in Invision Power Board
Summary
by MITRE
ipchat.php in Invision Power Board 1.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code, if register_globals is enabled, by modifying the root_path parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1385 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Invision Power Board version 1.1.1, specifically affecting the ipchat.php script. This vulnerability exploits a dangerous combination of insecure parameter handling and the dangerous PHP configuration setting known as register_globals. When register_globals is enabled on a web server, it automatically creates PHP variables from HTTP request data, including GET, POST, and COOKIE parameters. The ipchat.php script fails to properly validate or sanitize the root_path parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then executed as PHP code. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure input handling and demonstrates how legacy web applications can become vulnerable to code injection attacks when they rely on outdated security practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific attack vector that leverages the interaction between the vulnerable application code and the PHP configuration. Attackers can manipulate the root_path parameter in the ipchat.php script by crafting a URL that points to a remote web server containing malicious PHP code. When the vulnerable application processes this parameter, it effectively includes and executes the remote code, providing attackers with complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, and the attack can be executed through standard web browser interactions. This represents a classic case of a code inclusion vulnerability, which is categorized under CWE-95 and CWE-88 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system, specifically addressing issues related to improper input validation and insecure remote code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1385 extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain full remote code execution capabilities on the affected server, potentially allowing them to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify website content, or use the compromised system as a launching point for attacks on other systems. The vulnerability affects not just the Invision Power Board application but the entire hosting environment, as the executed code runs with the privileges of the web server process. Organizations using this vulnerable version of Invision Power Board face significant risk of complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential regulatory violations. The attack can be automated and scaled, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage it for mass exploitation across multiple targets.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of defensive measures that address both the immediate technical flaw and the underlying configuration issues. The primary and most effective mitigation is to disable the register_globals directive in the PHP configuration, as this setting is inherently dangerous and should never be enabled in production environments. Additionally, administrators should immediately upgrade to a patched version of Invision Power Board, as version 1.1.1 is extremely outdated and likely contains other unpatched vulnerabilities. Input validation and sanitization should be implemented to ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before processing. The principle of least privilege should be applied by running web applications with minimal required permissions and by implementing proper access controls. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications and systems. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including TA0002 (Execution) and TA0006 (Credential Access), demonstrating how a single vulnerability can enable multiple attack phases and lateral movement within compromised environments.