CVE-2007-1288 in Wbnews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Webmobo WB News 1.4.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the config[installdir] parameter to (1) comment.php, (2) themes.php, (3) directory.php, and (4) sendmsg.php in admin/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1288 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Webmobo WB News version 1.4.1 and earlier. This issue stems from improper input validation within the application's administrative components, specifically targeting four key files in the admin directory. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-88, which addresses the improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, though in this case the exploitation mechanism involves PHP file inclusion rather than SQL injection. The affected parameters allow attackers to inject malicious URLs that get processed by the PHP interpreter, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote file inclusion to execute malicious code on target systems.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the application's failure to properly sanitize user input passed through the config[installdir] parameter. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the vulnerable PHP scripts attempt to include and execute the remote file. This process occurs because the application does not validate or filter the input before using it in file inclusion operations. The vulnerability affects four specific files: comment.php, themes.php, directory.php, and sendmsg.php within the admin directory, indicating a systemic flaw in the application's parameter handling across multiple administrative functions. These files are particularly sensitive as they operate within the administrative context, providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to critical system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify content, or use the compromised server for further attacks against other systems. The administrative context of the vulnerable files means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to user management, content modification, and system configuration capabilities. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without authentication, making it a prime target for automated attack tools. The risk is compounded by the fact that these administrative functions are often critical to the application's operation and contain sensitive system information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1288 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution is to upgrade to a patched version of Webmobo WB News, as this vulnerability was resolved in subsequent releases through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers, including application-level filtering of user-supplied parameters and the implementation of a whitelist approach for file inclusion operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth by monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in the config[installdir] parameter. The implementation of the principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that administrative functions are not accessible to unauthenticated users. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their PHP applications, focusing on file inclusion vulnerabilities and implementing secure coding practices that prevent dynamic file inclusion with user-controllable parameters. Regular patch management processes should be established to ensure timely updates of all web applications and frameworks to protect against known vulnerabilities.