CVE-2005-0879 in Vortex Portal
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file include vulnerability in (1) content.php and (2) index.php for Vortex Portal allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the act parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0879 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the Vortex Portal web application. This vulnerability exists in two primary files: content.php and index.php, where the application fails to properly validate user input before incorporating external resources. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the act parameter contains a URL that points to external PHP files, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution threats that have been consistently documented in cybersecurity frameworks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the act parameter in the web application's request handling mechanism. When a user submits a request containing a URL within the act parameter, the vulnerable code processes this input without adequate sanitization or validation. This allows an attacker to specify a remote PHP script that gets included and executed within the context of the web server. The flaw essentially bypasses normal access controls and authorization mechanisms, enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the web server process. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code through code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any organization utilizing the affected Vortex Portal. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute commands, access sensitive data, install malware, or establish backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target network. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers located thousands of miles away. Organizations may experience data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the sensitive information stored within the compromised system. The vulnerability also enables attackers to escalate privileges and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation implementation. The most effective remediation involves updating the Vortex Portal to a version that properly validates and sanitizes all user input, particularly parameters that control file inclusion operations. Organizations should implement strict input validation that rejects any URLs or external references in parameters that control file operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the web server process runs with minimal required permissions. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the exposure of vulnerable applications to external threats. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in URL parameters and file inclusion requests. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to provide additional layers of defense against similar exploitation techniques.