CVE-2007-2317 in miniBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in MiniBB Forum 1.5a and earlier, as used by TOSMO/Mambo 4.0.12 and probably other products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the absolute_path parameter to bb_plugins.php in (1) components/minibb/ or (2) components/com_minibb, or (3) configuration.php. NOTE: the com_minibb.php vector is already covered by CVE-2006-3690.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2317 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting MiniBB Forum 1.5a and earlier versions, which were integrated into TOSMO/Mambo 4.0.12 and potentially other web applications. This issue stems from improper input validation within the application's handling of user-supplied data, specifically in the absolute_path parameter processing within the bb_plugins.php script. The vulnerability manifests in three distinct locations within the application's component structure, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the affected systems.
The technical flaw resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate the absolute_path parameter before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the application processes this input without adequate validation, leading to the execution of arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of code injection vulnerabilities that have been consistently identified as critical threats in web application security assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload malicious files, establish backdoors, modify database contents, or even escalate their privileges to gain full system control. The vulnerability's presence in widely used content management systems like TOSMO/Mambo 4.0.12 means that numerous websites could be compromised simultaneously, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these platforms for their web presence. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple component paths within the application structure increases the attack surface and makes it more challenging for administrators to fully secure their systems.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and represents a common attack pattern where adversaries target web applications to gain initial access to systems. The remediation strategy should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, particularly around file inclusion operations. Organizations should immediately apply patches provided by the software vendors, implement web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious file inclusion patterns, and conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web server processes run with minimal required permissions and that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized file operations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing secure coding practices to prevent code injection attacks that could compromise entire web infrastructures.