CVE-2004-0246 in Les Commentaires
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in (1) fonctions.lib.php, (2) derniers_commentaires.php, and (3) admin.php in Les Commentaires 2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the rep parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0246 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Les Commentaires 2.0, a PHP-based commenting system. This vulnerability manifests across three distinct PHP files including fonctions.lib.php, derniers_commentaires.php, and admin.php, all of which are susceptible to exploitation through the rep parameter. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, known as "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command," and CWE-94, "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')." The technical implementation involves the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input passed through the rep parameter, which is then used to include PHP files dynamically. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to reference malicious remote files, effectively bypassing the application's intended execution flow and gaining unauthorized code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server with the privileges of the web application. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the targeted system, as attackers can modify application behavior, steal sensitive information, or cause service disruption. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected application to version 2.1 or later, which addresses the file inclusion flaws. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures, including the use of allowlists for file inclusion parameters and the implementation of proper parameter sanitization. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running web applications with minimal required permissions, and network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting known file inclusion patterns, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Shell. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and to ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across all PHP applications.