CVE-2007-0486 in phpAdsNew
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Openads (aka phpAdsNew) 2.0.7 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) phpAds_geoPlugin parameter to libraries/lib-remotehost.inc, the (2) filename parameter to admin/report-index, or the (3) phpAds_config[my_footer] parameter to admin/lib-gui.inc. NOTE: the vendor has disputed this issue, stating that the relevant variables are used within function definitions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2007-0486 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Openads version 2.0.7, formerly known as phpAdsNew. This issue manifests through three distinct attack vectors that exploit improper input validation in the application's remote file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability has been disputed by the vendor, who argues that the affected variables are only used within function definitions, suggesting that the code execution paths may not be exploitable as originally reported. However, security researchers continue to investigate these potential attack surfaces that could allow malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters before using them in dynamic include or require statements. In the first vector, the phpAds_geoPlugin parameter in libraries/lib-remotehost.inc accepts a URL that gets directly incorporated into a remote file inclusion operation, allowing attackers to specify external PHP scripts that will be executed on the target server. The second vulnerability exists in the admin/report-index script where the filename parameter can be manipulated to include arbitrary files, while the third vector targets the phpAds_config[my_footer] parameter in admin/lib-gui.inc, which similarly allows for remote file inclusion through footer configuration manipulation.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities is severe, as they provide attackers with complete control over the affected web server running Openads. Successful exploitation could result in full system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to install web shells, modify database contents, steal sensitive information, or use the compromised server as a staging ground for further attacks against other systems. The remote nature of these vulnerabilities means that attackers do not require local access or authentication credentials to exploit them, making them particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications.
Security practitioners should approach this vulnerability with caution given the vendor's dispute regarding its exploitability. However, defensive measures should still be implemented to mitigate potential risks. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in include or require operations. Organizations should also consider disabling remote file inclusion features entirely and implementing proper parameter validation to prevent the use of external URLs in critical application functions. Additionally, network-level protections such as firewall rules and web application firewalls can help detect and block suspicious requests targeting these vulnerable parameters. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and represents a classic example of remote file inclusion attacks that fall under the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services. The disputed nature of this vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough security assessment and validation of reported issues, as vendor claims may not always align with real-world exploitability conditions.