CVE-2007-0178 in Easy Banner Pro
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in info.php in Easy Banner Pro 2.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the s[phppath] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0178 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Easy Banner Pro 2.8 web application, specifically affecting the info.php script. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input passed through the s[phppath] parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to sanitize or validate the s[phppath] parameter, which is used to include PHP files. When a user provides a URL in this parameter, the application treats it as a legitimate file path and attempts to include the remote file, thereby executing any PHP code contained within it. This behavior directly violates secure coding practices and demonstrates a classic example of a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through simple parameter manipulation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper control of code generation capabilities, and specifically maps to the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services through web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no prior access credentials. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, deploy malware, or conduct further reconnaissance within the network infrastructure. The implications extend beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's categorization of such vulnerabilities under initial access and execution phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0178 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Easy Banner Pro application to version 2.9 or later, which addresses the input validation flaw. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations, including the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths and strict parameter validation. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns in the s[phppath] parameter. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected applications and ensure proper configuration of file inclusion mechanisms to prevent similar issues. The remediation process should include disabling remote file inclusion capabilities entirely and implementing proper access controls to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews should be performed to identify and address similar flaws in other web applications, ensuring compliance with security standards such as those defined by the Open Web Application Security Project and OWASP Top Ten.