CVE-2007-0307 in Poplar Gedcom Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in include/common.php in Poplar Gedcom Viewer 2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the env[rootPath] parameter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0307 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Poplar Gedcom Viewer version 2.0 and earlier systems. This security weakness resides in the include/common.php file where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters. The specific issue occurs when the env[rootPath] parameter is manipulated by an attacker, allowing them to inject malicious URLs that the application subsequently includes and executes as PHP code. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and represents a classic remote code execution vector that has been consistently documented across numerous web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the application's trust in user input without proper sanitization mechanisms. When a malicious actor crafts a request containing a URL within the env[rootPath] parameter, the Poplar Gedcom Viewer processes this input by including the specified remote file directly into the execution context. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of input validation and secure coding practices, as the application should never blindly execute code from external sources. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege and fails to implement proper input sanitization techniques that would prevent such malicious inclusion attempts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates severe consequences for organizations using affected Poplar Gedcom Viewer installations. Remote attackers can gain complete control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive genealogical information stored within the application. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that genealogical data often contains highly sensitive personal information including family histories, medical records, and other private details that could be exploited for identity theft or social engineering attacks. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the integrity of genealogical databases and could potentially be used to disrupt genealogical research services or compromise the trust of users relying on these platforms.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of defensive measures to address both immediate remediation needs and long-term security improvements. Organizations must first apply the vendor-supplied patches or upgrade to versions that have addressed this specific flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques should become a standard practice, including the use of allowlists for acceptable input values and the implementation of proper parameter validation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper input validation leading to remote file inclusion attacks, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for exploitation through remote services. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious URL patterns and parameter manipulation attempts that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.
Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing remote file inclusion vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar patterns of insecure coding practices. Organizations must also consider implementing secure coding standards and training programs to prevent developers from introducing similar flaws in future applications, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental breach in application security design principles. The remediation process should include not only patching the specific vulnerability but also conducting thorough security audits of the entire application stack to identify and address other potential security weaknesses that could be exploited in similar manners.