CVE-2005-2793 in phpLDAPadmin
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in welcome.php in phpLDAPadmin 0.9.6 and 0.9.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the custom_welcome_page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2793 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the phpLDAPadmin web application version 0.9.6 and 0.9.7. This security weakness resides in the welcome.php script which fails to properly validate user input before incorporating it into the application's execution flow. The vulnerability specifically affects the custom_welcome_page parameter, which is designed to allow administrators to specify custom welcome pages for the application interface. However, this parameter becomes a vector for malicious exploitation when user-supplied input is directly included without adequate sanitization or validation measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation practices within the phpLDAPadmin codebase, aligning with common software security weaknesses classified under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')." The flaw occurs when the application accepts the custom_welcome_page parameter and directly includes it in the script execution context without filtering or sanitizing the input. This creates an environment where an attacker can inject malicious PHP code through the parameter, effectively allowing arbitrary code execution on the target server. The vulnerability manifests because the application does not distinguish between legitimate welcome page references and malicious payloads that could contain PHP code intended to be executed by the web server.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to systems running affected versions of phpLDAPadmin as it enables remote code execution without authentication requirements. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the web server hosting the application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include data theft, service disruption, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the application's welcome page functionality, which is typically accessible to all users without authentication, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or conduct reconnaissance activities. This weakness can be exploited to deploy backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive directory information, or manipulate the LDAP directory service itself, given that phpLDAPadmin is designed for LDAP administration tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2793 should focus on immediate patching of the affected phpLDAPadmin versions, with administrators upgrading to patched releases that implement proper input validation and sanitization. The recommended approach includes disabling the custom_welcome_page functionality if it is not required, implementing strict input validation that rejects any non-expected file paths, and employing proper parameter filtering techniques. Security measures should also include restricting access to the phpLDAPadmin interface through network-level controls, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, and conducting regular security assessments of the application's configuration. Additionally, organizations should follow ATT&CK framework recommendations for mitigating code injection vulnerabilities by implementing least privilege access controls and monitoring for unusual file inclusion patterns. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why input validation should be implemented at multiple layers within applications and why legacy codebases require regular security reviews to identify and address such critical flaws that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication.