CVE-2007-3586 in MyCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple direct static code injection vulnerabilities in MyCMS 0.9.8 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into (1) a _score.txt file via the score parameter, or (2) a _setby.txt file via a login cookie, which is then included by games.php. NOTE: programs that use games.php might include (a) snakep.php, (b) tetrisp.php, and possibly other site-specific files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3586 represents a critical security flaw in MyCMS version 0.9.8 and earlier, where multiple direct static code injection vulnerabilities exist that enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected systems. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the content management system, creating pathways for malicious code execution through user-controllable parameters. The flaw specifically affects two distinct attack vectors that leverage file inclusion mechanisms to propagate malicious code throughout the application's functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary injection points that exploit the application's failure to properly validate user input before incorporating it into system files. The first vector targets the _score.txt file through the score parameter, while the second vector targets the _setby.txt file via a login cookie. Both attack paths ultimately lead to code execution through the games.php file, which serves as the central inclusion point for various game-specific PHP files including snakep.php and tetrisp.php. This demonstrates a classic path traversal and code injection vulnerability pattern where user input is directly embedded into server-side code without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation allows remote code execution, enabling attackers to perform arbitrary actions including data exfiltration, system compromise, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects not just the immediate application but potentially all site-specific files that include games.php, creating a wide attack surface that could compromise the entire web application infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing code injection attacks.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and is closely related to the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.1001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The vulnerability represents a critical failure in secure coding practices and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and secure file handling mechanisms. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input sanitization, file access controls, and code review processes to prevent unauthorized code execution. The remediation approach should focus on validating all user inputs, implementing proper parameterized queries, and ensuring that dynamic file inclusion operations are protected against malicious input manipulation. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar code injection flaws in legacy applications that may not have been properly updated or patched.