CVE-2007-2205 in LAN Management System
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in modules/rtmessageadd.php in LAN Management System (LMS) 1.5.3, and possibly 1.5.4, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the _LIB_DIR parameter, a different vector than CVE-2007-1643.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2025
The CVE-2007-2205 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the LAN Management System LMS version 1.5.3 and potentially 1.5.4. This vulnerability specifically affects the modules/rtmessageadd.php file within the application's codebase, making it susceptible to exploitation by remote attackers who can manipulate the _LIB_DIR parameter through HTTP requests. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and represents a classic example of a remote code execution vulnerability that can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to the affected system. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious URLs into the application's parameter handling mechanism, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the LMS application's parameter processing logic. When the application processes the _LIB_DIR parameter without adequate validation, it accepts user-supplied URLs that can point to remote malicious resources. This creates an environment where attackers can inject their own PHP code through external web resources, bypassing normal application security controls. The vulnerability operates through a path traversal mechanism that allows the inclusion of files from remote locations, which then gets executed within the context of the web server process. This type of vulnerability is categorized as CWE-98, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and is closely related to CWE-22, "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')".
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2205 is severe and potentially devastating for organizations using affected LMS versions. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target server with the privileges of the web server process. This typically enables attackers to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, install backdoors, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and can be used to establish persistent access through the installation of web shells or other malicious payloads.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the LMS application to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability, applying input validation controls to prevent unauthorized file inclusion, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to vulnerable application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization in web applications, as highlighted by security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, restricting file inclusion capabilities within the application, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application codebase. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security standards such as those outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration and MITRE ATT&CK framework for identifying and preventing similar security flaws in web applications.