CVE-2007-3058 in Madirish Webmail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Madirish Webmail 2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the GLOBALS[basedir] parameter to (1) calendar.php, (2) compose.php, and (3) index.php, different vectors than CVE-2007-2826. 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 • 10/26/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3058 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Madirish Webmail version 2.0, which falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution vulnerabilities. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically targeting the GLOBALS[basedir] parameter that controls directory paths used in file operations. The vulnerability manifests across three distinct script files calendar.php, compose.php, and index.php, each presenting unique attack vectors while sharing the common weakness of insufficient parameter validation that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs into the application's file inclusion process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the GLOBALS[basedir] parameter to include malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting attacker-controlled PHP code. When the vulnerable application processes these parameters without proper validation, it effectively includes and executes the remote PHP files, enabling full remote code execution capabilities. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of code with elevated privileges through improper input validation. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in applications to execute arbitrary code, and T1059, which covers the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server hosting Madirish Webmail. Successful exploitation can lead to data breaches, server compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application resides. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive user data, and potentially use the compromised server as a launch point for attacking other systems. The multi-vector nature of the vulnerability across three different PHP scripts increases the attack surface and makes complete remediation more complex, as each affected file requires individual patching and input validation implementation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3058 should focus on immediate patching of the Madirish Webmail application to version 2.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the remote file inclusion vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures that prevent any user-controllable parameters from being used in file inclusion operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web applications run with minimal required permissions and that all external inputs are properly escaped before being processed. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards to prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles.