CVE-2007-2545 in Persism CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Persism CMS 0.9.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the system[path] parameter to (1) blocks/headerfile.php, (2) files/blocks/latest_files.php, (3) filters/headerfile.php, (4) forums/blocks/latest_posts.php, (5) groups/headerfile.php, (6) links/blocks/links.php, (7) menu/headerfile.php, (8) news/blocks/latest_news.php, (9) settings/headerfile.php, or (10) users/headerfile.php, in modules/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Persism CMS versions 0.9.2 and earlier, classified under CWE-88 due to improper handling of user-supplied input in file inclusion operations. The vulnerability exists in multiple module files where the system[path] parameter is directly used in include or require statements without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs that get executed as PHP code on the target server, effectively allowing remote code execution through carefully crafted HTTP requests. The affected files span across various CMS modules including blocks, filters, forums, groups, links, menu, news, settings, and users, indicating a widespread issue within the application's architecture.
The technical exploitation occurs when an attacker supplies a malicious URL through the system[path] parameter, which gets directly incorporated into PHP's include or require functions. This creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution since PHP will process the remote file as if it were local code, allowing attackers to execute commands on the web server. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and violates fundamental security principles of input sanitization and secure coding practices. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell), as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Once exploited, attackers can upload additional malware, establish backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify content, or use the compromised server for further attacks. The vulnerability affects not just individual modules but the entire CMS infrastructure, potentially compromising all data stored within the application. Organizations using Persism CMS versions prior to 0.9.3 are at significant risk, as the vulnerability allows for privilege escalation and persistent access without requiring authentication. The widespread nature of the affected files means that a single exploitation attempt can compromise multiple application components simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the CMS to version 0.9.3 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of the system[path] parameter. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, server-side validation, and proper parameter sanitization. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion operations to predefined, trusted paths only. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious file inclusion attempts. Security headers should be configured to prevent unauthorized file access, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to detect and remediate such issues proactively across their infrastructure.