CVE-2007-1456 in PHP Photo Album
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in common.php in PHP Photo Album allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the db_file parameter. NOTE: CVE disputes this vulnerability, because versions 0.3.2.6 and 0.4.1beta do not contain this file. However, it is possible that the original researcher was referring to a different product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1456 represents a disputed remote file inclusion flaw within PHP Photo Album software that could potentially allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This issue specifically targets the common.php file within the application's codebase, where a dangerous parameter named db_file appears to accept user-supplied URLs that could be exploited for code execution. The nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of remote code execution threats that have historically posed significant risks to web application security. According to industry standards, this vulnerability would typically map to CWE-88, which describes the weakness of allowing untrusted data to influence the path or file name of dynamically loaded files, and could potentially be leveraged through ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the PHP Photo Album application's common.php script. When the application processes the db_file parameter, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before using it in file inclusion operations. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious URLs that point to remote resources containing arbitrary PHP code. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal application boundaries and execute code in the context of the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local access to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments where such applications are deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. When successfully exploited, attackers could gain full control over the affected web server, potentially leading to persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, or use of the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within a network. The vulnerability's classification as a remote file inclusion issue means that it could be exploited through simple web browser interactions, requiring minimal technical expertise from attackers. Organizations running affected versions of PHP Photo Album would face significant security risks, particularly in environments where the application is accessible to untrusted users or where the web server has elevated privileges.
Despite the CVE's disputed status due to the absence of the specific file in later versions 0.3.2.6 and 0.4.1beta, the vulnerability analysis remains relevant for understanding historical security weaknesses in PHP applications. The issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of dynamic file inclusion without adequate sanitization measures. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability type has been consistently identified as a critical risk in web application security assessments, with similar flaws appearing across numerous software platforms throughout the years. Organizations should ensure that any legacy installations of PHP Photo Album are either updated to patched versions or properly isolated from untrusted network access. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of implementing proper security controls such as input validation, output encoding, and secure coding practices to prevent similar issues from occurring in modern web applications. Additionally, this case highlights the importance of thorough vulnerability research and the need for careful validation of reported security issues, as the disputed status indicates potential confusion in vulnerability identification or reporting that security teams must account for during risk assessment activities.