CVE-2005-0512 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in Tar.php in Mambo 4.5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-1693.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0512 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Mambo 4.5.2 content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the Tar.php component within the Mambo framework, enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code through manipulation of the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter. The flaw operates by allowing attackers to inject external URLs into the application's path resolution mechanism, effectively bypassing local file access controls and enabling code execution from remote servers.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-88 category of Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command, which is a subset of the broader CWE-94 weakness related to Uncontrolled Resource Consumption. The technical implementation exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the Tar.php file where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into file path resolution without adequate security checks. The mosConfig_absolute_path parameter serves as the attack vector, where an attacker can modify its value to point to a remote web server hosting malicious PHP code, which then gets executed by the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on the affected server. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to upload and execute malicious code, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability operates at the application level and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications running vulnerable versions of Mambo. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify website content, or use the compromised system as a staging ground for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it enables attackers to execute code remotely and potentially escalate privileges through the compromised application. The attack chain typically involves reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable Mambo installation, followed by crafting malicious URLs with the targeted mosConfig_absolute_path parameter, and finally executing the remote code to achieve the attacker's objectives. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest Mambo versions, input validation, and proper parameter sanitization to prevent parameter injection attacks. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments help identify similar weaknesses in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.