CVE-2004-0068 in PhpDig
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in config.php for PhpDig 1.6.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the $relative_script_path parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0068 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in PhpDig version 1.6.5 and earlier, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-98. This vulnerability exists within the configuration file processing mechanism of the PhpDig web application, specifically in the config.php file where the $relative_script_path parameter is improperly handled. The flaw stems from the application's failure to adequately validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the $relative_script_path parameter through HTTP request parameters, allowing them to reference external URLs containing malicious PHP code. When the vulnerable application processes this parameter and attempts to include the specified file, the remote web server's content is executed within the context of the web application, effectively granting the attacker remote code execution capabilities. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets publicly accessible web applications and leverages the trust relationship between the application and its configuration files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised server with the privileges of the web application user. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit and can be triggered through simple web requests, making it highly attractive to automated attack tools. Additionally, the remote nature of the attack means that attackers can operate from anywhere in the world without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0068 should prioritize immediate remediation through patching the vulnerable PhpDig application to version 1.6.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being processed. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the web application with minimal necessary permissions and by implementing proper file access controls. Network-based mitigations include firewall rules that restrict access to the vulnerable application and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious file inclusion patterns. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications, as this vulnerability type remains prevalent in legacy web applications and represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical skill.