CVE-2007-1458 in CARE2X
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in CARE2X 1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the root_path parameter to (1) inc_checkdate_lang.php, (2) inc_charset_fx.php, (3) inc_config_color.php, (4) inc_currency_set.php, (5) inc_db_makelink.php, (6) inc_diagnostics_report_fx.php, (7) inc_environment_global.php, (8) inc_front_chain_lang.php, (9) inc_init_crypt.php, (10) inc_load_copyrite.php, or (11) inc_news_save.php in include/; (12) diagnostics-report-index.php, (13) config_options_mascot.php, (14) barcode-labels.php, (15) chg-color.php, or (16) config_options_gui_template.php in main/; or unspecified other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The CVE-2007-1458 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion vulnerability affecting CARE2X 1.1 medical information system. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's include functionality, specifically targeting the root_path parameter that controls which files are included during execution. The flaw exists across multiple PHP files within the application's include directory and main directory, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core system functionality rather than isolated components. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that get processed through the include mechanism, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution on the target server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic remote file inclusion pattern where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into include statements without proper sanitization or validation. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL in the root_path parameter, the application processes this input and attempts to include the remote file, which can contain malicious PHP code. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of command and buffer injection. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands, upload malware, establish backdoors, and potentially escalate privileges to gain access to the underlying operating system. The vulnerability affects critical medical information systems where patient data is stored, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise sensitive healthcare information. Additionally, the widespread nature of the vulnerability across multiple files in the application increases the attack surface and reduces the effort required for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the CARE2X application to version 1.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for these include vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious URLs from being processed through include statements. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to block suspicious URL patterns and prevent remote file inclusion attempts. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of remote file inclusion vulnerabilities, and organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege to limit the damage potential of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other legacy applications and ensure proper input validation practices are maintained across all software components.