CVE-2007-1416 in URLshrink
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in createurl.php in JCcorp (aka James Coyle) URLshrink allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the formurl parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1416 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the URLshrink application developed by JCcorp, also known as James Coyle. This vulnerability exists within the createurl.php script and demonstrates a classic security weakness that has been prevalent in web applications for many years. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code into the target system by manipulating the formurl parameter, effectively bypassing normal input validation mechanisms and executing unauthorized code on the vulnerable server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and sanitization within the PHP application. When the formurl parameter is processed, the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into the execution flow. This creates an environment where an attacker can supply a malicious URL that gets included and executed as PHP code, leveraging the server's PHP processing capabilities to run arbitrary commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the remote file inclusion mechanism, where the application's include or require statements are directly influenced by user input without proper security controls. This pattern aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper file inclusion vulnerabilities, and represents a fundamental flaw in input handling and code execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or complete server takeover. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the target system. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, establishing backdoors, creating persistent access points, and using the compromised system as a launching pad for further attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and script injection, demonstrating how this flaw can be used to achieve broader operational objectives within an attacker's methodology.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1416 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves disabling remote file inclusion functionality entirely by setting the allow_url_include directive to off in the PHP configuration, which prevents the inclusion of remote files through functions like include, require, include_once, and require_once. Additionally, all user-supplied input should be rigorously validated and sanitized before processing, with strict whitelisting of acceptable input patterns and removal of dangerous characters or sequences. Implementing proper input validation techniques such as using functions like filter_var with appropriate filters, or employing dedicated validation libraries, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests containing malicious URLs in parameters. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, while also ensuring that the application follows secure coding practices and adheres to established security frameworks and guidelines.