CVE-2007-3359 in SerWeb
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in SerWeb 0.9.6 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the _SERWEB[serwebdir] parameter to (1) html/load_apu.php or (2) html/mail_prepend.php. 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 • 08/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3359 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting SerWeb versions 0.9.6 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the web application's handling of user-supplied input through the _SERWEB[serwebdir] parameter, which is processed by two distinct PHP scripts: html/load_apu.php and html/mail_prepend.php. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into file inclusion operations, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically manifesting as improper input validation in file inclusion contexts. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the _SERWEB[serwebdir] parameter to point to malicious remote URLs, thereby enabling remote file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of insecure file handling and input validation failures, where the application blindly trusts user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to affected systems as it permits remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. The attack vector requires minimal prerequisites, as attackers only need to craft malicious URLs and make requests to the vulnerable endpoints. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves upgrading to SerWeb versions that address this flaw, as the original affected versions contain no built-in protections against such attacks. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at the application level, with strict parameter validation and sanitization routines implemented to prevent malicious URLs from being processed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional detection and prevention capabilities, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. The vulnerability's characteristics align with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for comprehensive vulnerability management and patching processes.