CVE-2007-2424 in The Merchant
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in help/index.php in The Merchant (themerchant) 2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the show parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2424 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within The Merchant content management system version 2.2. This issue specifically affects the help/index.php script where the show parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs into the application's parameter handling mechanism, potentially allowing them to execute remote PHP code on the target server. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, which are commonly exploited in web application attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. When the show parameter is passed to help/index.php, the application directly uses this input to construct file paths or URLs for inclusion without performing proper sanitization checks. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the parameter to reference external malicious files hosted on remote servers. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper control of code generation, and CWE-20, which covers improper input validation, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses in web applications. The attack vector can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on the affected server. An attacker could leverage this flaw to upload and execute malicious scripts, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web application environment, as successful exploitation would allow unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. Organizations running The Merchant 2.2 are particularly at risk since the flaw exists in core application functionality and can be exploited without requiring authentication. The remote nature of the attack means that defenders have limited ability to prevent exploitation from external sources, making proper input validation and patching critical defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2424 require immediate implementation of several security controls. The primary remediation involves updating The Merchant application to a patched version that properly validates and sanitizes all user inputs before processing. Organizations should implement input validation mechanisms that reject any non-expected values in the show parameter and ensure that file inclusion operations only reference predetermined, safe file paths. Additionally, disabling remote file inclusion functionality entirely through php.ini configuration settings can prevent exploitation. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious requests containing potentially malicious URLs. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation across all user-facing parameters. The vulnerability also emphasizes the need for secure coding practices and adherence to the principle of least privilege in web application development, ensuring that applications do not execute code from untrusted sources.