CVE-2007-1986 in AROUNDMe
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in barnraiser AROUNDMe 0.7.7 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) language_path_core parameter to inc/core_profile.header.php, the (2) template_path_core parameter to template/barnraiser_01/maint_contact_view.tpl.php, and the (3) template_path parameter to template/barnraiser_01/default.tpl.php. NOTE: this issue might overlap CVE-2006-5533.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1986 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting the barnraiser AROUNDMe 0.7.7 web application. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's template and core inclusion mechanisms, creating multiple attack vectors that allow remote adversaries to inject and execute malicious PHP code. The affected parameters language_path_core, template_path_core, and template_path all accept user-supplied URL inputs without adequate security controls, enabling attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted malicious URLs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote file inclusion attacks that leverage the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters. When the application processes these parameters, it directly incorporates user-provided URLs into its execution flow, allowing attackers to specify external PHP files that will be included and executed on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of command and URL injection. The flaw demonstrates weak input validation practices where the application trusts user-supplied data without proper sanitization or verification against a whitelist of acceptable values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on the affected web server. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects multiple core application components, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can choose from several different attack vectors to achieve their goals. The overlap with CVE-2006-5533 suggests this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting similar web applications, indicating that the underlying architectural flaws in input handling and file inclusion mechanisms were not properly addressed in the application's security design.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization controls throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation mechanism that only accepts known good values for all file inclusion parameters, preventing attackers from specifying arbitrary URLs. Additionally, the application should disable remote file inclusion features entirely by configuring PHP settings to restrict include paths and disable remote file access. Security measures should also include implementing proper error handling that does not expose internal system information, as well as regular security code reviews to identify similar patterns of insecure parameter handling. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and emphasizes the need for proper input validation as a primary defense mechanism against such attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting these types of vulnerabilities.