CVE-2004-0490 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cPanel, when compiling Apache 1.3.29 and PHP with the mod_phpsuexec option, does not set the --enable-discard-path option, which causes php to use the SCRIPT_FILENAME variable to find and execute a script instead of the PATH_TRANSLATED variable, which allows local users to execute arbitrary PHP code as other users via a URL that references the attacker s script after the user s script, which executes the attacker s script with the user s privileges, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-0529.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
This vulnerability exists within cPanel's configuration of Apache 1.3.29 and PHP when the mod_phpsuexec module is enabled. The flaw stems from the absence of the --enable-discard-path compilation option during PHP build processes, creating a critical security gap that enables privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects how PHP handles script execution paths when processing web requests, fundamentally altering the security model that mod_phpsuexec is designed to enforce. The underlying technical issue manifests when PHP utilizes the SCRIPT_FILENAME variable instead of the PATH_TRANSLATED variable for script location determination, creating a path traversal condition that bypasses intended user isolation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows local users to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of other users on the system. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that reference their own script immediately after a target user's script in the request path, enabling the execution of the attacker's code with the victim's user privileges. This creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker can escalate their privileges to execute code as any user account on the system, effectively breaking the isolation that mod_phpsuexec was designed to maintain. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web server configuration and PHP execution behavior, exploiting a fundamental mismatch between how paths are resolved and how user permissions are enforced.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-78 Command Injection, as it allows attackers to manipulate path resolution to execute unintended code. From an ATT&CK perspective, this maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548 Privilege Escalation, specifically targeting the execution of code with elevated privileges. The attack vector leverages the web application layer to exploit a configuration issue in the underlying PHP interpreter, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor compilation options can have catastrophic security implications, particularly in shared hosting environments where user isolation is paramount.
Mitigation strategies should focus on ensuring that PHP is compiled with the --enable-discard-path option to properly handle path resolution and prevent the use of SCRIPT_FILENAME for execution. System administrators must verify that mod_phpsuexec is properly configured and that PHP installations include the necessary security flags during compilation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization at the web server level can help prevent malicious path manipulation attempts. Regular security audits of cPanel configurations and PHP compilation settings are essential to prevent such vulnerabilities from persisting in production environments. The fix requires careful attention to the build process and configuration management to ensure that security features are properly enabled and functioning as intended.