CVE-2007-1640 in ClassWeb
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in ClassWeb 2.03 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the BASE parameter to (1) language.php and (2) phpadmin/survey.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1640 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting ClassWeb 2.03 and earlier versions. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's handling of user-supplied parameters, specifically the BASE parameter used in two distinct files. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that are subsequently processed by the PHP interpreter, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution on the affected server. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can be exploited from remote locations without requiring any local access or authentication credentials. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the ClassWeb application by allowing unauthorized parties to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted HTTP requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate the BASE parameter before using it in file inclusion operations. When a user supplies a URL in the BASE parameter to either language.php or phpadmin/survey.php, the application treats this input as a legitimate file path and attempts to include it within the execution context. This behavior directly violates secure coding principles and creates a classic remote file inclusion (RFI) vulnerability. The underlying flaw aligns with CWE-98, which specifically addresses the inclusion of files without proper validation, and represents a variant of the broader CWE-22 category related to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that manipulate the BASE parameter to point to malicious remote resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially gaining full control over the web application environment. This includes the ability to read or modify database contents, access sensitive user data, install backdoors, or use the compromised server for further attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the ClassWeb application and the underlying infrastructure. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability provides a direct path to compromise the entire web server, as it allows for execution of system commands through the PHP interpreter. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in widely used educational web applications and can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1640 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading ClassWeb to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original affected versions are no longer supported. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent the BASE parameter from accepting external URLs or paths that could lead to file inclusion attacks. The application should be configured to use a whitelist approach for file inclusion operations, ensuring that only predetermined and trusted files can be accessed. Security measures should include disabling the ability to include remote files through configuration settings, implementing proper access controls, and using secure coding practices that prevent dynamic file inclusion based on user input. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and implement network-level protections to detect and block suspicious requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of remote file inclusion vulnerabilities, and represents a common attack vector that security teams should monitor for in legacy web applications.