CVE-2007-2325 in MyNews
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in include.php in MyNewsGroups :) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the myng_root parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2325 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the MyNewsGroups software suite, specifically within the include.php component. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data before incorporating it into the application's execution flow. The affected parameter myng_root demonstrates a classic path traversal and code inclusion vulnerability where attacker-controlled URLs can be passed directly into the include statement without adequate validation. This weakness enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, effectively compromising the entire web application and potentially the underlying system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the myng_root parameter which is used to determine the root directory path for including necessary PHP files. When an attacker submits a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the application processes the input without proper sanitization and directly incorporates it into the include.php script. This creates an opportunity for remote code execution since the application treats the attacker-provided URL as a legitimate file path. The vulnerability is classified as a remote file inclusion (RFI) issue under CWE-88, which specifically addresses the improper handling of externally supplied input that is used to construct file paths or URLs for inclusion. The flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and input validation, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code within the application's context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface that can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the web server, potentially leading to data theft, system enumeration, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the application's legitimate file inclusion mechanisms to load malicious code from remote servers, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across network boundaries without requiring local system access. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for server-side include attacks and represents a significant threat to web application security, as it allows for the execution of malicious payloads that can be used for further reconnaissance, lateral movement, and persistence within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. 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 allow-list validation techniques that restrict input to predefined safe values rather than attempting to filter out malicious content. Additionally, disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configuration and using absolute path references instead of dynamic URL construction can significantly reduce the attack surface. The implementation of proper input validation mechanisms aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and follows the principle of defense in depth. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation, emphasizing that all external data should be treated as potentially malicious until proven otherwise.