CVE-2007-2559 in american cart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in american cart 3.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the abs_path parameter to (1) index.php, (2) checkout.php, and (3) libsecure.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2559 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the american cart 3.5 e-commerce platform. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within the abs_path parameter, which is processed across three primary script files including index.php, checkout.php, and libsecure.php. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-provided URLs from being directly included and executed within the application context. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-98, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" and more broadly relates to CWE-88, "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command." The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious URLs that get processed by the PHP interpreter, thereby allowing for arbitrary code execution on the affected server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability exists in multiple entry points, increasing the attack surface and making it more difficult to secure the application comprehensively. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can initiate attacks from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in public-facing web applications. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP." The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation, data manipulation, and service disruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL containing PHP code that gets passed through the abs_path parameter in the targeted scripts. When the application processes this parameter, it directly includes the remote URL without proper validation, executing the malicious code on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core application functionality scripts that handle user authentication, checkout processes, and secure operations. Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability through several defensive measures including immediate patching of the application to the latest secure version, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and configuring web server restrictions to prevent remote file inclusion. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configuration, and conducting regular security assessments are essential mitigation strategies. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and security standards such as ISO/IEC 27001. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates how a single input validation flaw can compromise entire application ecosystems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and defense-in-depth strategies.