CVE-2007-2185 in Supasite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Supasite 1.23b allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the supa[db_path] parameter to (1) common_functions.php, (2) admin_auth_cookies.php, (3) admin_mods.php, (4) admin_news.php, (5) admin_topics.php, (6) admin_users.php, (7) admin_utilities.php, (8) site_comment.php, or (9) site_news.php; or the supa[include_path] parameter to (10) admin_settings.php or (11) backend_site.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2185 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Supasite 1.23b, a content management system that was widely used in web applications during that era. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently used to construct file paths for inclusion operations. The flaw specifically manifests in multiple PHP files where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before using them in include or require statements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code into the execution context.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to manipulate the supa[db_path] and supa[include_path] parameters through HTTP requests, where these parameters are directly incorporated into PHP include statements without adequate input validation or sanitization. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for these parameters, the PHP interpreter attempts to include the remote file, effectively executing any PHP code contained within it as part of the legitimate application process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides remote attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability affects multiple core application files, including administrative functions, user management, news handling, and system settings. This widespread impact means that even a single successful exploitation can provide attackers with extensive access to the application's functionality and underlying server resources.
The vulnerability's exploitation follows patterns consistent with the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers target web applications to gain initial access to systems. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable application endpoints, which then process the malicious input through the flawed include mechanism. This represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise, particularly in web applications where user input is expected to be properly sanitized before being used in dynamic code execution contexts.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Supasite application to version 1.24 or later, where the input validation issues have been addressed. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures such as whitelisting acceptable parameter values, using absolute paths for include statements instead of user-supplied input, and implementing proper parameter sanitization routines. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web application files have minimal required permissions, and network-level protections such as firewalls and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for suspicious patterns in HTTP requests. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, particularly those using dynamic include mechanisms without proper input validation.