CVE-2007-1455 in Fantastico
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple absolute path traversal vulnerabilities in Fantastico, as used with cPanel 10.x, allow remote authenticated users to include and execute arbitrary local files via (1) the userlanguage parameter to includes/load_language.php or (2) the fantasticopath parameter to includes/mysqlconfig.php and certain other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2025
The CVE-2007-1455 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in Fantastico, a popular web application installer integrated with cPanel version 10.x. This vulnerability specifically targets the way the application handles user input in parameterized requests, creating opportunities for unauthorized file inclusion and execution. The flaw exists within the software's input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths through carefully crafted parameters. The vulnerability affects multiple files within the Fantastico framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across different attack vectors within the same application ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the improper sanitization of user-supplied input parameters. When users submit requests containing the userlanguage parameter to includes/load_language.php or the fantasticopath parameter to includes/mysqlconfig.php and related files, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs. This allows attackers to construct malicious paths that traverse the file system beyond intended boundaries. The vulnerability is classified as an absolute path traversal issue, where attackers can specify complete file paths rather than relative paths, enabling access to sensitive system files and potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1455 is severe and multifaceted, particularly within hosting environments where cPanel and Fantastico are commonly deployed. An authenticated attacker with access to the cPanel interface can exploit this vulnerability to include and execute arbitrary local files on the server, potentially gaining elevated privileges or accessing sensitive configuration data. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors. The vulnerability affects not only the target application but also the broader hosting infrastructure, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to access other user accounts, databases, or system resources that are typically isolated within the cPanel environment. The attack surface is expanded due to the multiple vulnerable files, providing attackers with several potential entry points for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1455 should focus on input validation and proper parameter sanitization. System administrators should immediately upgrade to patched versions of cPanel and Fantastico, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Implementing proper input validation mechanisms that reject or sanitize special characters in path parameters is essential. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that web applications run with minimal required permissions and that file access is restricted to necessary directories only. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications within the hosting environment, as this type of vulnerability is commonly found in legacy systems that have not been properly maintained or updated. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities.