CVE-2004-0016 in phpGroupWare
Summary
by MITRE
The calendar module for phpgroupware 0.9.14 does not enforce the "save extension" feature for holiday files, which allows remote attackers to create and execute PHP files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0016 resides within the calendar module of phpgroupware version 0.9.14, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the application's file handling mechanisms. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control measures within the holiday file management functionality, creating an exploitable condition that directly enables remote code execution through unauthorized file creation.
The technical flaw manifests in the calendar module's failure to properly enforce the "save extension" feature when processing holiday files. This weakness allows malicious actors to bypass normal file creation protocols and upload PHP files with arbitrary extensions, effectively circumventing the intended security boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the application level where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized before being processed, creating a path for attackers to inject executable code into the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems running affected phpgroupware installations, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The impact extends beyond simple file creation to full system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, and establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with common web application exploitation techniques described in the attack framework, where input validation failures lead to code execution. This flaw corresponds to CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and demonstrates how inadequate security controls in file handling components can result in severe remote code execution vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-434, which covers insecure file upload mechanisms, as attackers can upload PHP files that will be executed by the web server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0016 should focus on immediate patching of the affected phpgroupware version, implementing strict file type validation, and enforcing proper access controls for file upload functionality. System administrators should disable unnecessary file upload capabilities, implement content-type checks, and ensure that uploaded files are stored in non-executable directories. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, particularly in modules handling user-supplied data. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other applications and components.