CVE-2004-1423 in Php-calendar
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Sean Proctor PHP-Calendar before 0.10.1, as used in Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Law Office (VLO) and other products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the phpc_root_path parameter to (1) includes/calendar.php or (2) includes/setup.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2004-1423 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Sean Proctor PHP-Calendar software version 0.10.0 and earlier, which was widely deployed in various applications including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Law Office system. This vulnerability resides in the parameter validation mechanisms of the calendar application, specifically affecting the phpc_root_path parameter handling in two key files: includes/calendar.php and includes/setup.php. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs into the application's parameter processing, enabling unauthorized code execution on the target system. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and validation, which is categorized under CWE-94 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing the execution of arbitrary code due to improper handling of user-supplied input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the phpc_root_path parameter, which is used to define the root path for calendar-related includes. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL and injects it into this parameter, the vulnerable application processes the input without proper validation, leading to the inclusion of remote files from external servers. This process allows the attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application level, where the attacker can leverage the web server's permissions to execute malicious code, perform data exfiltration, or establish persistent access. The attack vector follows the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Server Software Component" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" when considering the potential for command execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1423 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant security breach that could lead to complete system compromise and data loss. In the context of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Law Office, this vulnerability would have exposed sensitive legal information and potentially allowed unauthorized access to confidential communications. The vulnerability's widespread use across multiple products means that organizations relying on this calendar software were all at risk, creating a cascading effect that could have affected numerous government and private sector applications. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization, as the flaw existed due to insufficient checks on user-supplied data before processing. Organizations using affected versions of the software faced potential data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations that could have resulted in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1423 focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to PHP-Calendar version 0.10.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the remote file inclusion vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper parameter validation, input sanitization, and the principle of least privilege when configuring web applications. Additional defensive measures include disabling remote file inclusion capabilities in PHP configurations, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software components, as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Proper configuration management and regular security audits can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future, ensuring that applications properly validate and sanitize all user inputs before processing.