CVE-2005-0897 in E-Store Kit-2
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in catalog.php in E-Store Kit-2 PayPal Edition allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the menu and main parameters to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2017
The CVE-2005-0897 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the E-Store Kit-2 PayPal Edition e-commerce platform, specifically affecting the catalog.php script. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being directly incorporated into file inclusion operations. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the menu and main parameters through URL manipulation, enabling them to reference external web servers containing malicious PHP code. This type of 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 category for Code Injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets a publicly accessible web application component that can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious URLs that include references to remote servers hosting PHP payload files. When the vulnerable catalog.php script processes these parameters, it performs a file inclusion operation that downloads and executes the remote code on the target server. This process typically involves constructing URLs with parameters such as menu= and main= that point to attacker-controlled web servers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected system. The lack of proper input validation means that the application blindly trusts user-provided parameters without verifying their legitimacy or sanitizing them against malicious content. This behavior creates a direct path for attackers to inject and execute malicious code, effectively bypassing any application-level security controls that might otherwise protect the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0897 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data theft. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, install web shells, and exfiltrate sensitive customer information including credit card details and personal identification data. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate web application but also potentially compromises the entire hosting environment, as the executed code runs with the privileges of the web server process. Organizations using vulnerable versions of E-Store Kit-2 PayPal Edition face significant risks including regulatory compliance violations under standards such as pci dss, potential financial losses from data breaches, and reputational damage from customer privacy violations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks against internal network resources, as the web server typically has access to internal systems and databases. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who may use it for reconnaissance, lateral movement, or as part of larger attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0897 require immediate action to address the core vulnerability while implementing broader security controls. The primary recommendation involves disabling the vulnerable file inclusion functionality by modifying the application code to remove or properly validate all user-supplied parameters that are used in file inclusion operations. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures that reject any input containing suspicious patterns or external references. The use of allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in php.ini should be disabled to prevent remote file inclusion attacks at the PHP level. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting known vulnerable parameters. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, while maintaining up-to-date security patches for the E-Store Kit platform. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if one component is compromised, attackers cannot easily move laterally through the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors rather than relying on single points of defense.