CVE-2005-3404 in ATutor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP file inclusion vulnerabilities in ATutor 1.4.1 through 1.5.1-pl1 allow remote attackers to include arbitrary files via the section parameter followed by a null byte (%00) in (1) body_header.inc.php and (2) print.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2005-3404 represents a critical server-side include vulnerability affecting ATutor versions 1.4.1 through 1.5.1-pl1, classified under CWE-98 as improper restriction of operations within a shared calling environment. This flaw exists in the file inclusion mechanism where the application fails to properly validate user input before incorporating external files into its execution flow. The vulnerability specifically manifests in two key files: body_header.inc.php and print.php, both of which process the section parameter without adequate sanitization, creating a path traversal and code injection opportunity for malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages null byte injection techniques to bypass input validation mechanisms that typically prevent directory traversal attacks. When an attacker supplies a malicious section parameter containing a null byte sequence %00, the application's file inclusion logic incorrectly processes the input, allowing arbitrary file inclusion from remote locations. This behavior stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before passing them to PHP's include or require functions, which directly translates to remote code execution capabilities when combined with appropriate payload delivery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file inclusion, creating a potential attack surface that could enable complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying system files, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of ATutor's content management system, potentially compromising educational institution data integrity and confidentiality. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for server-side include attacks and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected ATutor installations to versions that properly validate and sanitize user input before file inclusion operations. Organizations should implement input validation controls that explicitly filter out null bytes and other dangerous characters from all user-supplied parameters. The implementation of proper access controls and file permission settings can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous file inclusion patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter out malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability pattern, as the null byte injection technique is well-documented and easily recognizable in network traffic analysis.