CVE-2007-1010 in ZebraFeeds
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in ZebraFeeds 1.0, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the zf_path parameter to (1) aggregator.php and (2) controller.php in newsfeeds/includes/.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1010 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting ZebraFeeds 1.0, a content aggregation system built on PHP technology. This vulnerability specifically exploits the dangerous combination of insecure input handling and the deprecated register_globals configuration setting that was prevalent in older PHP environments. The flaw exists in two primary files within the newsfeeds/includes/ directory, namely aggregator.php and controller.php, where the zf_path parameter is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper sanitization or validation.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user-supplied input through the zf_path parameter, which is processed in a manner that allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that get executed as PHP code. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from request data, creating an attack surface where user input can directly influence the execution flow of the application. This configuration, while deprecated and discouraged in modern PHP environments, was commonly found in older installations, making the exploitation of this vulnerability particularly widespread. The vulnerability manifests as a remote file inclusion (RFI) condition that allows attackers to load and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote servers, effectively granting them complete control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the target server, potentially leading to full system takeover, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of ZebraFeeds by allowing unauthorized code execution, which undermines the integrity and confidentiality of the entire content aggregation system. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the widespread use of register_globals in older PHP installations, making it a significant risk for organizations running legacy systems that have not been properly updated or patched.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several defensive measures to protect against exploitation. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals directive in PHP configuration settings, which eliminates the core condition enabling this attack vector. Additionally, developers must implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous filtering before being used in file inclusion operations. The application should employ whitelisting mechanisms for file paths and avoid dynamic inclusion of user-provided data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of allowing code to be injected and executed, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications, while maintaining up-to-date PHP installations and following secure coding practices to prevent future occurrences of such critical flaws.