CVE-2005-2413 in Atomic Photo Album
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in apa_phpinclude.inc.php in Atomic Photo Album (APA) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the apa_module_basedir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2413 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Atomic Photo Album web application, specifically affecting the apa_phpinclude.inc.php component. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, as detailed in CWE-20. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, particularly the apa_module_basedir parameter that is processed during the inclusion of PHP modules.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the apa_module_basedir parameter to include arbitrary PHP files from remote locations. When the application processes this parameter without adequate validation or sanitization, it creates an opportunity for remote code execution through the PHP include mechanism. This type of vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to technique T1059.007 for PHP and T1566 for remote service exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server with the privileges of the web application. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects versions of Atomic Photo Album prior to 2.0.2, where proper input validation was not implemented in the include file processing logic. Attackers could leverage this flaw by crafting malicious URLs that point to remote PHP scripts hosted on attacker-controlled servers, effectively bypassing local file access restrictions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Atomic Photo Album application to version 2.0.2 or later, where proper input validation has been implemented. Administrators should also implement proper parameter validation and sanitization within the application code, ensuring that all user-supplied input is thoroughly checked against a whitelist of acceptable values. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers according to the principle of least privilege, as outlined in CWE-1074. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the dangers of direct file inclusion mechanisms in web applications, particularly when dealing with user-controlled parameters that influence file system operations.