CVE-2005-2498 in PHPXMLRPC
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in PHPXMLRPC 1.1.1 and earlier (PEAR XML-RPC for PHP), as used in multiple products including (1) Drupal, (2) phpAdsNew, (3) phpPgAds, and (4) phpgroupware, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via certain nested XML tags in a PHP document that should not be nested, which are injected into an eval function call, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-1921.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The CVE-2005-2498 vulnerability represents a critical eval injection flaw within PHPXMLRPC 1.1.1 and earlier versions of the PEAR XML-RPC library for PHP. This vulnerability manifests when certain nested XML tags are improperly processed within PHP documents, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can be injected directly into eval function calls. The flaw specifically affects multiple widely-used web applications including Drupal, phpAdsNew, phpPgAds, and phpgroupware, making it particularly dangerous due to the extensive deployment of these platforms. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the XML parsing mechanism to construct malicious payloads that bypass normal input validation, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper XML parsing and sanitization within the PHPXMLRPC library. When the library processes XML requests containing nested tags that should not be permitted in the parsed structure, it fails to adequately validate or escape the input before passing it to the eval function. This creates a classic code injection vector where malicious XML data can be crafted to include PHP code that gets executed during the eval operation. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2005-1921 as it specifically targets the eval injection mechanism within the XML-RPC processing flow rather than other attack vectors. The flaw falls under CWE-94, which categorizes improper validation of dangerous data within eval functions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP code injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2498 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable systems without authentication. This allows for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects not just individual applications but entire ecosystems, as multiple major web platforms rely on the same underlying XML-RPC library. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, manipulate database content, steal sensitive information, or use the compromised systems as launch points for further attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2498 must focus on immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to PHPXMLRPC version 1.1.2 or later, where the eval injection vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement strict XML parsing policies that prevent or properly validate nested tag structures that could lead to injection attacks. Network-level protections such as XML firewalls and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring and filtering suspicious XML traffic patterns. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple levels including application, database, and network boundaries. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other components of the software stack. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security updates for all web applications can significantly reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities.