CVE-2007-1146 in arabhost
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in function.php in arabhost allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the adminfolder parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1146 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the arabhost web application's function.php script. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's parameter handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the adminfolder parameter which is processed without proper security controls, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations, making it susceptible to exploitation through crafted URL parameters.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under the CWE-98 weakness category, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" in web applications. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the adminfolder parameter to reference remote malicious files hosted on external servers, effectively enabling remote code execution capabilities. When the application processes the malicious URL through the vulnerable function.php script, it attempts to include and execute the remote file, thereby providing attackers with full control over the affected system. This type of vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to the technique of code injection within the execution phase of the attack lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, adversaries can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability affects web applications that fail to implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, particularly in parameter handling functions that process user-supplied data for file inclusion operations. Organizations running affected versions of arabhost face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to the severity of the vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1146 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures across all user-supplied parameters. The primary defense involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing suspicious characters or patterns that could indicate malicious intent. Organizations should disable remote file inclusion functionality entirely and implement whitelisting approaches for all file inclusion operations. Additionally, proper input sanitization techniques should be employed to ensure that user-supplied parameters cannot be used to manipulate file inclusion paths. Security patches and updates should be applied immediately to address the underlying vulnerability, while network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase.