CVE-2005-1325 in phpMyVisites
Summary
by MITRE
set_lang.php in phpMyVisites 1.3 allows remote attackers to read and include arbitrary files via the mylang parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1325 affects phpMyVisites version 1.3 and represents a critical security flaw in the set_lang.php script that enables remote code execution through arbitrary file inclusion. This vulnerability specifically targets the mylang parameter which is used to determine the language file for the application interface. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's language selection mechanism, allowing attackers to manipulate the parameter value to reference arbitrary files on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. When the mylang parameter is processed, the application directly uses its value to construct file paths without sufficient sanitization or validation checks. This creates a classic path traversal and arbitrary file inclusion vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to read sensitive files or execute malicious code on the target system. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for path traversal attacks and CWE-94 for arbitrary code execution through untrusted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files on the server filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential information. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges to achieve full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote exploitation without requiring any authentication, making it highly attractive to malicious actors. This type of vulnerability is classified under ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the application code. The most effective approach is to restrict the mylang parameter to only accept predefined, whitelisted language values rather than allowing arbitrary input. Additionally, implementing proper file inclusion practices such as using absolute paths, validating file existence, and restricting file access permissions can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also ensure that phpMyVisites is updated to a patched version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original version 1.3 contains multiple security flaws that compound the risk. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious file access patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of all input handling mechanisms to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application.