CVE-2007-2939 in PHP Chat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Mazen's PHP Chat 3.0.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the basepath parameter to (1) ITX.php, (2) IT_Error.php, or (3) IT.php in include/pear/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2939 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Mazen's PHP Chat version 3.0.0. This vulnerability resides within the include/pear/ directory of the application and impacts three specific files: ITX.php, IT_Error.php, and IT.php. The core issue stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied input in the basepath parameter, which is processed without adequate validation or sanitization. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code on the target server. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically addressing the dangerous practice of directly incorporating user input into include statements without proper validation. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over remote network connections, requiring no local access or authentication credentials from the attacker. The implications extend beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can result in privilege escalation, lateral movement within network environments, and the potential for further exploitation of connected systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the use of remote services for initial access and execution, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to arbitrary code execution in web applications.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2007-2939 occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing a URL in the basepath parameter that points to a remote server hosting malicious PHP code. When the vulnerable application processes this input and attempts to include the specified file, the PHP interpreter executes the remote code with the privileges of the web server process. This process typically involves the attacker hosting malicious PHP payloads on a remote server they control, then directing the vulnerable application to include and execute these payloads. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring any specialized tools or deep technical knowledge beyond basic web application exploitation techniques. The impact of successful exploitation includes unauthorized access to server resources, potential data breaches, and the ability to establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's classification as a remote file inclusion issue places it within the broader context of web application security flaws that have historically resulted in significant security incidents and data compromises across numerous web applications and platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2939 must address the fundamental root cause of the vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization practices. The primary recommendation involves implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in include or require statements. Organizations should employ whitelisting approaches that only permit known good values for the basepath parameter, rather than accepting arbitrary input. Additionally, the application should be configured to disable remote file inclusion capabilities entirely by setting the allow_url_include directive to off in the php.ini configuration file. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that vulnerable versions of the application are not in use, as the specific version affected by this vulnerability (3.0.0) is several years old and no longer supported. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious patterns in incoming requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable applications and ensuring that all web applications are running current, patched versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The implementation of secure coding practices, including the use of absolute paths instead of relative paths when including files, and avoiding dynamic include statements altogether, provides fundamental protection against this class of vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for web server accounts and ensuring that web applications run with minimal required permissions to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation.