CVE-2005-1200 in AZ Bulletin Board
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in main_index.php in AZ Bulletin Board (AZbb) 1.0.07a through 1.0.07c allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the (1) dir_src or (2) abs_layer parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1200 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the AZ Bulletin Board (AZbb) version 1.0.07a through 1.0.07c. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the main_index.php script, which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate security measures. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the dir_src or abs_layer parameters to point to remote web servers containing malicious PHP code, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution on the affected system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-98 category, which specifically addresses inclusion of a file that is not properly validated, making it a prime example of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution risks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation in the web application's request processing. When the application processes the dir_src or abs_layer parameters, it directly incorporates user input into file inclusion operations without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting PHP code, which gets executed on the target system when the vulnerable application processes these parameters. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through simple HTTP requests, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. The attack vector aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Successful exploitation can result in attackers gaining persistent access to the web server, enabling them to install backdoors, steal database credentials, access confidential information, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the affected systems, as attackers can modify or delete content, inject malicious code, or disrupt services. Organizations running affected versions of AZbb face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability also impacts the application's trust model, as it allows unauthenticated remote code execution, effectively undermining the security posture of the entire web application infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in shared hosting environments or when the web server has elevated privileges, as it can lead to complete compromise of the hosting environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1200 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement parameter validation and sanitization techniques to ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated before being used in file inclusion operations. The recommended approach involves disabling remote file inclusion features entirely and implementing strict input validation that rejects any URLs or paths that do not match predefined safe patterns. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions of AZbb that have addressed this vulnerability, as no backported fixes exist for the affected versions. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring for suspicious parameter values. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized users can modify application parameters, and input validation should be implemented at multiple layers of the application architecture. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing to verify that the vulnerability has been properly addressed and that no other similar flaws exist within the application codebase. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future development cycles, aligning with the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and secure coding guidelines.