CVE-2007-0570 in Ad Fundum Integratable News Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in ains_main.php in Johannes Gijsbers (aka Taradino) Ad Fundum Integratable News Script (AINS) 0.02b allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the ains_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0570 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Ad Fundum Integratable News Script version 0.02b, developed by Johannes Gijsbers and also known as Taradino. This vulnerability resides in the ains_main.php file and demonstrates a classic security weakness that has been consistently documented in software development practices over the past two decades. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the ains_path parameter within the application's request handling mechanism. When a remote attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate sanitization, leading to the inclusion of external PHP files. This behavior directly aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code due to improper input validation. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute code with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation within the target environment. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute commands on the web server, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying application behavior, or using the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal effort to exploit and can be automated through various attack frameworks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the compromised system to execute malicious commands and scripts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code-level issues and broader architectural security concerns. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Developers should employ whitelisting techniques to restrict file paths to predefined, trusted locations, and avoid dynamic inclusion of user-controllable variables. Additionally, disabling remote file inclusion features entirely through php.ini configuration settings can prevent this class of vulnerability from being exploited. Organizations should also implement proper access controls, regular security code reviews, and maintain up-to-date security patches for all web applications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices, including input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege, which are fundamental to preventing such remote code execution scenarios. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's attack surface.