CVE-2007-2460 in FireFly
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in modules/admin/include/config.php in FireFly 1.1.01 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the DOCUMENT_ROOT parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2460 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the FireFly content management system version 1.1.01 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the administrative module's configuration file at modules/admin/include/config.php, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters. The specific parameter of concern is DOCUMENT_ROOT, which when manipulated by an attacker can lead to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and specifically relates to CWE-94, which encompasses the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The flaw demonstrates a classic path traversal and code injection vulnerability that has been prevalent in web applications for many years.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server without requiring authentication or prior access. An attacker can craft a malicious request that includes a URL in the DOCUMENT_ROOT parameter, which gets processed by the vulnerable script. When the application attempts to include this parameter as part of a file path, it can be manipulated to reference external malicious files hosted on attacker-controlled servers. This creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malware, establish backdoors, or perform further exploitation activities. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote file inclusion to execute malicious code, and T1059, which covers the execution of code through various interfaces.
The security implications extend beyond simple code execution to include potential data breaches, system infiltration, and lateral movement within compromised networks. Since this affects the administrative module, successful exploitation could provide attackers with full administrative control over the FireFly installation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no valid credentials and can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. Organizations using FireFly versions prior to 1.1.02 should immediately implement mitigations such as disabling remote file inclusion features, implementing proper input validation, and applying the vendor-supplied patches. The recommended defense-in-depth strategies include network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as input validation, output encoding, and the principle of least privilege in web application development. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar patterns in their codebases, as this type of vulnerability has been documented in numerous other applications and frameworks throughout the years.