CVE-2007-2199 in Library
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in lib/pcltar.lib.php (aka pcltar.php) in the PclTar module 1.3 and 1.3.1 for Vincent Blavet PhpConcept Library, as used in multiple products including (1) Joomla! 1.5.0 Beta, (2) N/X Web Content Management System (WCMS) 4.5, (3) CJG EXPLORER PRO 3.3, and (4) phpSiteBackup 0.1, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the g_pcltar_lib_dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The CVE-2007-2199 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the PclTar module version 1.3 and 1.3.1 of the PhpConcept Library developed by Vincent Blavet. This vulnerability specifically affects the lib/pcltar.lib.php file which serves as the core component for handling tar archive operations within various web applications. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the g_pcltar_lib_dir parameter handling mechanism. When an application utilizing PclTar processes user-controllable input through this parameter, it directly incorporates the supplied value into file inclusion operations without adequate sanitization or validation. This creates a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability that falls under the CWE-88 category, specifically CWE-88 - Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP code, which then gets executed within the context of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple widely-used web applications and content management systems, including Joomla! 1.5.0 Beta, N/X Web Content Management System 4.5, CJG EXPLORER PRO 3.3, and phpSiteBackup 0.1. These applications are particularly vulnerable because they rely on the PclTar module for archive handling functionality, making them susceptible to arbitrary code execution attacks. The attack vector follows the typical remote code execution pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers can manipulate application parameters to achieve unauthorized code execution. This vulnerability can be exploited to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments.
Security mitigations for CVE-2007-2199 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before they are processed by the PclTar module. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing URL schemes or external references, thereby preventing the inclusion of remote files. Additionally, applications should be updated to newer versions of the PclTar library where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions that prevent outbound connections to untrusted domains, as outlined in the principle of least privilege from NIST SP 800-53. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper parameter handling in preventing remote code execution attacks, aligning with the security best practices established in OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing command injection vulnerabilities.