CVE-2007-1852 in 2BGal
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in 2BGal 3.1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the lang_filename parameter to (1) index.php or (2) backupdb.inc.php in admin/, or other unspecified files, different vectors than CVE-2006-5505. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by CVE, since the lang_filename variable is defined before it is used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1852 represents a disputed remote file inclusion vulnerability affecting 2BGal 3.1.1, a web-based gallery management system. This issue is categorized under the broader class of insecure direct object references and remote code execution vulnerabilities that have plagued web applications for decades. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user-supplied input within the application's language file inclusion mechanism, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code through carefully crafted URLs.
The technical flaw manifests in the way the application processes the lang_filename parameter, which is intended to specify language files for internationalization purposes. When this parameter is not properly sanitized or validated, it becomes susceptible to manipulation by remote attackers who can inject malicious URLs pointing to external resources containing arbitrary PHP code. The vulnerability affects multiple entry points including index.php and backupdb.inc.php within the admin directory, suggesting a systemic issue in how the application handles language file inclusion across different components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running 2BGal 3.1.1, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This capability enables full system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it can be exploited through multiple vectors, increasing the attack surface and making detection more challenging for security teams. The disputed nature of this CVE indicates that the original assessment may have been overly broad or that the specific conditions for exploitation were not clearly defined in the initial analysis.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-88, which addresses improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code, both of which are fundamental to understanding how remote file inclusion vulnerabilities operate. This type of vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services to gain initial access to systems. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious URLs with PHP code snippets that get executed when the application attempts to include the specified language file, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent access for threat actors.
The disputed status of this CVE suggests that the vulnerability may not have been properly validated or that the specific exploitation conditions were misunderstood in the original reporting. This underscores the importance of careful validation of vulnerability reports and the need for security researchers to provide clear evidence of exploitability. Organizations should not rely solely on CVE listings but must conduct their own assessment of the actual risk posed by such vulnerabilities, particularly when dealing with older software versions that may have been superseded by more secure implementations. Proper input validation, parameter sanitization, and the implementation of secure coding practices remain essential mitigation strategies for preventing similar vulnerabilities in web applications.