CVE-2007-3066 in php(Reactor)
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in php(Reactor) 1.2.7 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the pathtohomedir parameter to (1) view.inc.php, (2) users.inc.php, (3) updatecms.inc.php, and (4) polls.inc.php in inc/; and other unspecified files, different vectors than CVE-2006-3983.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3066 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting phpReactor version 1.2.7 and earlier installations. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within the pathtohomedir parameter, which is processed across multiple include files including view.inc.php, users.inc.php, updatecms.inc.php, and polls.inc.php located in the inc/ directory. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that are subsequently included and executed as PHP code, creating a severe security risk that can be exploited without authentication. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, and specifically relates to CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code, making it a direct threat to application integrity and system security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's insecure use of dynamic include functions without proper input validation or sanitization. When attackers provide a malicious URL in the pathtohomedir parameter, the application treats this input as a legitimate file path and attempts to include it, executing any PHP code contained within the remote resource. This behavior demonstrates a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability that allows for arbitrary code execution, potentially enabling attackers to gain complete control over the affected server. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple include files within the application's core functionality, providing multiple attack vectors and increasing the probability of successful exploitation. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote file inclusion to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3066 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the vulnerable system, escalate privileges, and establish persistent access through backdoor installations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deploy web shells, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify application content, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's presence in core application files like users.inc.php and updatecms.inc.php means that exploitation could potentially compromise user authentication mechanisms and system update processes. Organizations running affected phpReactor versions face significant risk of complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with varying levels of expertise. This aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0001, which covers initial access, and TA0003, which covers persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3066 should focus on immediate patching of affected phpReactor installations to version 1.2.8 or later, which contains fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious URLs from being processed as legitimate file paths, including the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths and strict validation of all user-supplied input. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth by blocking suspicious URL patterns and monitoring for exploitation attempts. Security configurations should disable remote file inclusion features and restrict the application's ability to include files from external sources. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the application's codebase. The remediation process should also include disabling unnecessary PHP functions that could facilitate exploitation, such as allow_url_fopen and allow_url_include, and implementing proper access controls to limit who can modify application configuration files. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect and alert on suspicious file inclusion patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.