CVE-2007-2260 in mase
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in bibtex mase beta 2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the bibtexrootrel parameter to (1) unavailable.php, (2) source.php, (3) log.php, (4) latex.php, (5) indexinfo.php, (6) index.php, (7) importinfo.php, (8) import.php, (9) examplefile.php, (10) clearinfo.php, (11) clear.php, (12) aboutinfo.php, (13) about.php, and other unspecified files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2260 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the bibtex mase beta 2.0 web application. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's codebase, specifically targeting the bibtexrootrel parameter that is processed across multiple script files. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that are subsequently included and executed as PHP code, creating a severe security risk for affected systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and more broadly relates to CWE-94, which encompasses the execution of arbitrary code due to insufficient input validation. The affected files demonstrate a widespread pattern of insecure parameter handling, with the vulnerability manifesting across twelve distinct PHP scripts including unavailable.php, source.php, log.php, latex.php, indexinfo.php, index.php, importinfo.php, import.php, examplefile.php, clearinfo.php, clear.php, aboutinfo.php, and about.php, indicating a systemic code flaw rather than isolated incidents.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the bibtexrootrel parameter to point to a remote malicious URL containing PHP code. When the web application processes this parameter without proper validation, it includes the remote file and executes its contents as part of the legitimate application flow. This remote code execution capability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, and deployment of backdoors. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and persistent access to the compromised system. The attack vector aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services to gain initial access, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various interfaces. The widespread presence of this vulnerability across multiple files suggests that the application's input handling was not properly centralized or standardized, creating a systemic security weakness that could be exploited through any of the affected endpoints.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2260 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations running vulnerable versions of bibtex mase beta 2.0. Remote attackers can gain full control over affected web servers, allowing them to manipulate database contents, steal sensitive information, modify application behavior, and establish persistent access points. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the affected web application. Organizations may face data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial losses due to the compromised systems. The vulnerability also poses risks to network infrastructure as attackers can use compromised servers as launching points for further attacks against internal networks. Additionally, the presence of this vulnerability in a web application indicates poor security practices and potentially inadequate security testing during the development lifecycle, which may leave other undiscovered vulnerabilities in the system. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities often leads to long-term security degradation of the affected environment, as attackers can establish persistent backdoors and maintain access even after initial exploitation attempts are discovered and patched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2260 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Developers should employ whitelisting techniques to restrict acceptable values for the bibtexrootrel parameter and avoid direct inclusion of user-controllable input. The application should be updated to use secure file inclusion methods that do not rely on dynamic URL construction from user input. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter, and conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities across other applications. The implementation of proper access controls and input validation mechanisms aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and should be integrated into the development lifecycle through secure coding practices. Regular security updates and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. System administrators should also monitor web server logs for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability's presence highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation during software development phases to prevent such critical flaws from reaching production environments.