CVE-2007-2254 in PHP Classifieds
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/setup/level2.php in PHP Classifieds 6.04, and probably earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the dir parameter. NOTE: this product was referred to as "Allfaclassfieds" in the original disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2254 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in PHP Classifieds version 6.04 and potentially earlier releases, previously known as Allfaclassfieds. This security weakness resides within the administrative setup component of the application, specifically in the level2.php file located at admin/setup/level2.php. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately restrict user-supplied data before it is processed within the application's execution context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the dir parameter which is passed to the level2.php script. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL and injects it into this parameter, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input properly, allowing the remote file inclusion attack to succeed. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, effectively granting them unauthorized access to the system's resources and potentially full control over the web application environment. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code in the context of the affected application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, creating significant risks for organizations utilizing affected versions of PHP Classifieds. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload and execute malicious code, establish persistent backdoors, perform data exfiltration, or launch further attacks against internal network infrastructure. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to compromise the system, making it particularly dangerous. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering execution through command and scripting interpreters, as the attack chain involves executing PHP code through the web server's interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrading to a version that resolves the input validation issues in the dir parameter handling. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including whitelisting acceptable values for the dir parameter and implementing strict parameter validation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation. Security best practices recommend implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that administrative scripts have minimal required permissions and are properly isolated from user-accessible directories. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in preventing dynamic code execution based on user input, and demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of web applications to identify similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.