CVE-2007-0497 in Upload-Service
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in upload/top.php in Upload-Service 1.0, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the maindir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0497 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Upload-Service 1.0 web application, specifically affecting the upload/top.php script. This vulnerability exploits a fundamental security weakness in PHP applications that occurs when the dangerous register_globals directive is enabled in the php.ini configuration file. The flaw manifests when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious code through the maindir parameter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the PHP configuration setting register_globals being enabled, which automatically creates global variables from input data such as GET, POST, and COOKIE parameters. When Upload-Service 1.0 processes the maindir parameter in upload/top.php, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in a file inclusion context. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when passed as the maindir parameter, cause the application to include and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote servers. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or injection attack, and more specifically to CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to web applications running Upload-Service 1.0 with register_globals enabled. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or deployment of backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and demonstrates how misconfigurations in web server settings can create exploitable conditions that bypass traditional security controls.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate action to disable the register_globals directive in PHP configuration, which should be set to off in all production environments. Additionally, developers must implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters before they are used in file inclusion operations. The application should employ a whitelist approach for file paths, ensuring that only predetermined, safe directories can be accessed through the maindir parameter. Organizations should also implement proper web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious parameter values and consider implementing the principle of least privilege for file inclusion operations. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper PHP configuration management and input validation practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines and highlights the critical nature of avoiding dangerous PHP settings that can enable arbitrary code execution attacks.