CVE-2007-1483 in WebCalendar
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in WebCalendar 0.9.45 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the includedir parameter to (1) login.php, (2) get_reminders.php, or (3) get_events.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1483 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting WebCalendar version 0.9.45, which falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation within web applications. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the includedir parameter, which is processed in three specific script files including login.php, get_reminders.php, and get_events.php. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user input before using it in file inclusion operations, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that point to remote malicious code repositories.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the includedir parameter in any of the three vulnerable endpoints. When the web application processes this input without proper validation, it attempts to include and execute the remote file, effectively allowing the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This type of vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw that can be leveraged to gain full control over the affected system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebCalendar might be used for scheduling and calendar management purposes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates severe security implications for organizations relying on WebCalendar 0.9.45, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. The attack surface is significant since the vulnerability affects core authentication and data retrieval functions, potentially enabling attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, access sensitive calendar data, or even escalate privileges to compromise the entire web server infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper input validation leading to remote code execution through file inclusion, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for execution of malicious code through web applications.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves updating to a patched version of WebCalendar that properly validates and sanitizes all user input before processing file inclusion operations. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures such as whitelisting acceptable values for the includedir parameter, disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configurations, and implementing proper access controls that restrict direct file access. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious URL patterns and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications or systems that might be similarly vulnerable to remote file inclusion attacks, as this type of flaw often indicates broader architectural security weaknesses in web applications.