CVE-2007-2428 in Ahhp-Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in page.php in Ahhp-Portal allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) fp or (2) sc parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2428 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Ahhp-Portal web application, specifically within the page.php script. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being processed as part of file inclusion operations. The flaw affects two distinct parameters named fp and sc within the page.php file, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting malicious URLs through these parameters, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker supplies a malicious URL through either the fp or sc parameter in the HTTP request to the page.php script. The application fails to validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file inclusion operations, allowing the remote attacker to specify external URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code. This type of attack leverages the PHP include or require functions, which are designed to incorporate and execute code from external files. When these functions receive user-controllable input without proper validation, they can be coerced into executing arbitrary code from attacker-controlled remote servers. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which involves the use of remote file inclusion to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized code execution, data theft, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive information, modify web content, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application and underlying system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations running Ahhp-Portal versions affected by this vulnerability face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where the application is publicly accessible or deployed without proper network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2428 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. This includes enforcing strict parameter validation to ensure that only expected and safe values are accepted. Organizations should disable remote file inclusion functionality in PHP by setting the allow_url_fopen directive to off in the php.ini configuration file. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, input filtering, and output encoding can significantly reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits, vulnerability scanning, and application security testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components. The remediation efforts should also include updating to patched versions of Ahhp-Portal, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when developing and deploying web applications.