CVE-2005-1054 in ModernBill
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in news.php in ModernBill 4.3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the DIR parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1054 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in ModernBill version 4.3.0 and earlier, which exposes systems to arbitrary code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the news.php script within the application's directory structure, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized PHP code on vulnerable systems. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, particularly the DIR parameter that controls directory references within the application's file inclusion mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the DIR parameter passed to news.php, allowing attackers to manipulate this parameter to reference external URLs containing malicious PHP code. When the application processes this modified parameter, it attempts to include and execute the remote file, effectively executing attacker-controlled code within the context of the web server. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an eval context, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified as a server-side include attack, where the attacker leverages the web application's file inclusion functionality to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once exploited, attackers can perform various malicious activities including data theft, system compromise, privilege escalation, and establishing persistent access through backdoors or web shells. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the web server's privileges to access sensitive information, modify application behavior, and potentially use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This type of attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without requiring local system access or authentication credentials. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services for initial access and persistence, and T1059, which covers the execution of code through various payloads including PHP scripts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1054 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against exploitation. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of ModernBill that addresses this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released security updates containing proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Organizations should implement strict input validation mechanisms that prevent URL references from being passed to file inclusion functions, particularly by disabling remote file inclusion capabilities entirely within the application configuration. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for suspicious parameter values and URL references. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and limiting the web server's ability to access external resources through network restrictions can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security configurations should enforce the use of local file paths only for inclusion operations and disable functions such as allow_url_include in php.ini to prevent remote file inclusion attacks from succeeding. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that proper sanitization practices are consistently applied across all input handling mechanisms within the software ecosystem.