CVE-2005-3010 in CuteNews
Summary
by MITRE
Direct static code injection vulnerability in the flood protection feature in inc/shows.inc.php in CuteNews 1.4.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the HTTP_CLIENT_IP header (Client-Ip), which is injected into data/flood.db.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3010 represents a critical direct static code injection flaw within the CuteNews content management system version 1.4.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the flood protection mechanism implemented in the inc/shows.inc.php file, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server. The attack vector exploits the HTTP_CLIENT_IP header, also known as Client-Ip header, which is improperly handled within the application's security controls. When this header is processed, the malicious input gets directly injected into the data/flood.db.php file, which serves as the database file for flood protection records.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the flood protection feature. The application fails to properly filter or escape user-supplied data from the HTTP_CLIENT_IP header before incorporating it into the flood.db.php file. This oversight creates a classic code injection scenario where attacker-controlled input can be executed as PHP code. The vulnerability is classified as a direct static code injection because the malicious code is directly embedded into the application's codebase rather than being executed through indirect methods or command injection. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and is particularly dangerous because it allows for complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any system running affected versions of CuteNews. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The flood.db.php file serves as a critical component for tracking user activity and preventing flooding attacks, making it an ideal location for code injection as it is regularly accessed and updated. Attackers can use this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the server, install backdoors, modify existing content, or launch further attacks against internal networks. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity and availability of the content management system, as malicious code execution can corrupt data files or cause system instability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code injection issue and the broader security architecture of the affected system. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of CuteNews, as this vulnerability was resolved in subsequent releases through proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The recommended approach includes implementing strict input filtering for all HTTP headers, particularly those used in security-related functions. Security controls should be enhanced to prevent any user-controllable data from being directly written to executable files or database files. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious header values and blocking malicious requests. The implementation of proper access controls and regular security audits should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on the execution of malicious code through web application vulnerabilities and the exploitation of input validation weaknesses.