CVE-2007-0167 in WGS-PPC
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP file inclusion vulnerabilities in WGS-PPC (aka PPC Search Engine), as distributed with other aliases, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the INC parameter in (1) config_admin.php, (2) config_main.php, (3) config_member.php, and (4) mysql_config.php in config/; (5) admin.php and (6) index.php in admini/; (7) paypalipn/ipnprocess.php; (8) index.php and (9) registration.php in members/; and (10) ppcbannerclick.php and (11) ppcclick.php in main/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0167 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting WGS-PPC (Web Gateway Search PPC) software and its various aliases. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and dynamic file inclusion mechanisms within multiple PHP scripts across different directories of the application. The flaw specifically manifests when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into file inclusion statements without adequate sanitization or validation, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary PHP code through carefully crafted URLs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves multiple attack vectors across different file paths within the application structure. The INC parameter serves as the primary injection point in ten distinct files including config_admin.php, config_main.php, and config_member.php located in the config/ directory, as well as admin.php and index.php in admini/, paypalipn/ipnprocess.php, and various files in members/ and main/ directories. These multiple entry points significantly expand the attack surface and demonstrate a systemic design flaw in the application's file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-98, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and specifically addresses the dangerous practice of incorporating user input directly into include/require statements without proper validation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents an extremely high-risk scenario for affected systems. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include data theft, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launching point for attacks against other systems. The vulnerability's presence across multiple administrative and user-facing scripts indicates that attackers could potentially gain access to both frontend user registration functionality and backend administrative interfaces.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly covering techniques related to code injection and remote command execution. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the domain of ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and broader command execution categories. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant operational risk as the flaw can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge of the target system beyond knowledge of the application's URL structure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0167 must address the fundamental design flaw in the application's file inclusion mechanisms. Immediate remediation efforts should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters that could influence file inclusion decisions. The most effective long-term solution involves replacing dynamic file inclusion with static configuration approaches or implementing strict whitelisting mechanisms that only permit known, safe file paths. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious inclusion patterns, as well as conducting comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Given the age of this vulnerability and its widespread impact, affected organizations should prioritize immediate patching or replacement of the vulnerable software components to prevent exploitation attempts.