CVE-2007-1011 in VS-Gastebuch
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in functions_inc.php in VS-Gastebuch 1.5.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the gb_pfad parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1011 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the VS-Gastebuch guestbook application version 1.5.3 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the functions_inc.php file where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. The specific parameter gb_pfad becomes the attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that the application then attempts to include and execute as PHP code. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for remote code execution that can compromise the entire web server environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the gb_pfad parameter in the application's request. The application processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, leading to the inclusion of external PHP files that contain malicious code. This flaw directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system, potentially allowing them to gain full control over the web server, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using affected versions of VS-Gastebuch, as it allows for complete system compromise without requiring authentication. The attack can be executed remotely through web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data breaches, system infiltration, and the ability to use the compromised server for further attacks against other systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability corresponds to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1505.003 for server-side include, highlighting the attack vectors and techniques that adversaries can employ to exploit such weaknesses.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of VS-Gastebuch, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enforced on all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The application should be configured to use absolute paths for file operations and implement proper parameter validation to prevent inclusion of external URLs. Security headers and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious requests containing malicious URL patterns. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling in web applications and the potential for remote code execution through seemingly simple parameter manipulation flaws.