CVE-2005-2633 in Topic Boards
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP file inclusion vulnerabilities in (1) admin_o.php, (2) board_o.php, (3) dev_o.php, (4) file_o.php or (5) tech_o.php in PHPTB Topic Board 2.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the absolutepath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2633 represents a critical server-side include vulnerability affecting PHPTB Topic Board version 2.0 and earlier. This vulnerability exists across multiple administrative and operational files within the application, specifically targeting the absolutepath parameter which is used to define file paths for inclusion. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, fundamentally compromising the application's security posture and potentially leading to full system compromise.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-98 category of "Improper Direct Object Reference" and more specifically aligns with CWE-88 for "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command" and CWE-20 for "Improper Input Validation." The technical implementation involves the application directly incorporating user-supplied input into file inclusion directives without proper sanitization or validation, creating a path traversal and code execution vector. Attackers can manipulate the absolutepath parameter to reference malicious files or code snippets that get executed within the PHP runtime environment, effectively bypassing normal access controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct execution capabilities on the affected server. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple core files within the application, amplifying the attack surface and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Organizations using PHPTB Topic Board version 2.0 or earlier face significant risk of unauthorized code execution and potential data breaches, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation implementation. Organizations must upgrade to the latest version of PHPTB Topic Board that addresses these inclusion vulnerabilities, as no effective workarounds exist for the specific flaw. The recommended approach includes implementing strict input validation on all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations, and employing proper parameter sanitization techniques. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion paths to predefined, secure directories and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" due to the potential for privilege escalation through code execution.