CVE-2007-2676 in Open Translation Engine
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in skins/header.php in Open Translation Engine (OTE) 0.7.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the ote_home parameter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2676 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Open Translation Engine version 0.7.8 web application. This issue resides in the skins/header.php file and demonstrates a classic insecure direct object reference vulnerability that enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects the ote_home parameter which is processed without adequate validation or sanitization, creating an attack vector that can be exploited to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The Open Translation Engine is a web-based translation management system that allows users to manage and translate content across multiple languages, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to compromise web servers hosting translation services.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for the ote_home parameter in the application's request. The application fails to validate or sanitize this input before incorporating it into the PHP execution flow, allowing the remote attacker to include external PHP files that contain malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or injection attack, and more specifically aligns with CWE-98, which covers the improper inclusion of code from another source. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete server compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to the affected system. Once exploited, the attacker can upload additional malicious files, create backdoors, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the web server. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the web application is hosted on shared servers or where the web server has elevated privileges. The attack can be executed through simple HTTP requests without requiring any special authentication, making it highly accessible to attackers with basic web exploitation knowledge. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes techniques for exploiting vulnerabilities in applications accessible from the internet, and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the exploitation involves executing PHP commands through the web interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2676 require immediate application of security patches or code modifications to prevent the inclusion of external URLs in the ote_home parameter. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization mechanisms that strictly validate the ote_home parameter against a whitelist of approved values or ensure that any external URL references are properly encoded and validated. The recommended approach involves modifying the skins/header.php file to implement proper parameter validation, either by using a predefined set of allowed values or by implementing strict URL validation that rejects external references. Additionally, security measures such as disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configuration, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security audits can help prevent exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if one component is compromised, the overall system remains protected. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.