CVE-2007-0785 in Flip
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in previewtheme.php in Flipsource Flip 2.01-final 1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the inc_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0785 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Flipsource Flip 2.01-final 1.0 content management system. This vulnerability exists within the previewtheme.php script which processes user input through the inc_path parameter without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code on the target server, effectively allowing for arbitrary code execution.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. The technical implementation involves the application's failure to validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. When an attacker submits a malicious URL through the inc_path parameter, the application treats this input as a legitimate file path and attempts to include it, resulting in code execution. The vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on user input for determining file inclusion paths without proper input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the vulnerable server, potentially gaining full administrative control over the web application and underlying system. This allows for persistent backdoor installation, data manipulation, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also falls under ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote file inclusion to execute malicious code, and T1059 which covers the execution of commands through PHP scripts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Applications should employ allowlists of permitted values rather than denylists, and all external input should be rigorously validated before being processed. Additionally, the use of disable_functions in php.ini should be configured to prevent execution of dangerous functions like exec, system, and shell_exec. The application should also implement absolute path restrictions for file inclusion operations and avoid using user-controllable variables directly in include statements. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious inclusion patterns and ensure regular security updates and patches are applied to all web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the environment.