CVE-2005-2782 in AutoLinks
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in al_initialize.php for AutoLinks Pro 2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via an "ftp://" URL in the alpath parameter, which bypasses the incomplete blacklist that only checks for "http" and "https" URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2782 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the AutoLinks Pro 2.1 PHP application that exposes systems to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability specifically affects the al_initialize.php script which processes user input through the alpath parameter without adequate validation. The flaw stems from an incomplete input sanitization mechanism that only blocks http and https protocol schemes while failing to account for other potentially dangerous protocols such as ftp://, thereby allowing attackers to bypass security restrictions and inject malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic insecure direct object reference pattern where user-supplied input is directly used in file inclusion operations without proper protocol validation. The incomplete blacklist approach creates a false sense of security since it only addresses two of the many possible protocol schemes that could be exploited for remote code execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-434 which identifies insecure file handling practices where applications accept files from untrusted sources without proper validation, and specifically relates to CWE-22 which covers path traversal issues in file inclusion mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system with the privileges of the web server process. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious URLs with ftp:// protocol that point to attacker-controlled servers hosting malicious PHP payloads. The bypass of the incomplete blacklist means that traditional network-level protections may not detect or prevent such attacks, making the exploitation more stealthy and effective. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications running on PHP environments where the allow_url_fopen directive is enabled, as it permits PHP to include files from remote locations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and whitelisting approaches rather than relying on blacklists. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input parameters used in file inclusion operations undergo strict protocol validation, rejecting any protocol other than explicitly trusted ones. The recommended solution involves implementing a comprehensive whitelist of acceptable protocols and file paths, along with disabling dangerous PHP configurations such as allow_url_fopen when not strictly required. Additionally, application-level protections should include proper parameter validation, input sanitization, and the use of secure coding practices that prevent direct file inclusion based on user input. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following ATT&CK framework techniques related to command and control communications and remote code execution through web application vulnerabilities. The security community should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious protocol usage patterns, while regular security audits should verify that all input validation mechanisms are comprehensive and not susceptible to bypass through protocol enumeration attacks.