CVE-2007-1984 in lite-cms
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in index.php in lite-cms 0.2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the inc parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1984 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the lite-cms content management system version 0.2.1. This vulnerability resides within the index.php script where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through the inc parameter. The flaw stems from the application's insecure handling of dynamic includes, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are subsequently executed as PHP code on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an input vector, and more broadly aligns with CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code due to unsafe use of dynamic code loading.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the inc parameter in the HTTP request to the vulnerable index.php script. When the application processes this parameter without proper validation, it treats the provided URL as a legitimate include directive and attempts to fetch and execute the remote content. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploit via web shell, as well as T1059.007 for scripting languages, since the attack vector specifically leverages PHP code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized code execution, data theft, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, install malware, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the affected server. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system and can be performed from anywhere on the internet. Organizations using lite-cms 0.2.1 are particularly vulnerable as this represents a known flaw in a widely deployed content management system that was never properly patched or updated.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center around immediate patching and input validation implementation. The most effective remediation involves updating to a patched version of lite-cms that properly sanitizes input parameters before processing them. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for any parameters that control include or require file operations. The use of allowlists for valid include paths and implementing proper parameter validation can prevent this class of vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the attack surface, while web application firewalls may provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious URL patterns and unusual file inclusion activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper secure coding practices, aligning with security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development.