CVE-2005-4462 in Tolva
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file include vulnerability in usermods.php in Tolva PHP website system 0.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a URL in the ROOT parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4462 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Tolva PHP website system version 0.1.0. This issue specifically affects the usermods.php component and stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability manifests when the application accepts a ROOT parameter that contains a URL, which is then subsequently included or required by the PHP interpreter, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject and execute malicious code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic remote file inclusion attack vector where an attacker crafts a malicious URL in the ROOT parameter and submits it to the vulnerable application. When the PHP interpreter processes this parameter, it treats the provided URL as a valid file path and attempts to include the remote resource, effectively allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94, which covers insufficient validation of a dangerous or unexpected data source. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services to gain initial access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially devastating for affected systems. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the hosting environment. Attackers can leverage this capability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify website content, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire website infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user data or business information. Organizations using the affected Tolva PHP website system version 0.1.0 face significant risk of unauthorized code execution and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms. The most effective solution involves updating to a patched version of the Tolva PHP website system that addresses this specific vulnerability. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The application should be configured to only accept local file paths and reject any input containing remote URLs or protocols. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and restricting file inclusion operations to trusted sources can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-level mitigations such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional protection layers, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring and logging of file inclusion operations should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and provide forensic capabilities for incident response activities.