CVE-2007-4094 in PhpHostBot
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in library/authorize.php in IDevSpot PhpHostBot allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the login_form parameter, a different vector than CVE-2006-3776.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4094 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the IDevSpot PhpHostBot application's authorization library. This security weakness resides in the library/authorize.php file and specifically targets the login_form parameter, creating an attack surface that enables remote adversaries to inject and execute malicious PHP code. The vulnerability operates through a distinct attack vector compared to CVE-2006-3776, indicating a separate code path that was not addressed in previous security patches. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's authentication handling mechanism, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper security checks.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-98 category, which specifically addresses "Include of Code from Untrusted Source," and aligns with the broader ATT&CK technique T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application." The technical implementation allows attackers to manipulate the login_form parameter to reference external URLs containing malicious PHP payloads. When the application processes this parameter through a vulnerable include or require statement, it executes the remote code with the privileges of the web server process. The impact is particularly severe because this vulnerability enables full remote code execution, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected server and its resources.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, deploy additional malware, or conduct reconnaissance activities within the compromised network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosted in publicly accessible environments. Organizations using IDevSpot PhpHostBot versions affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack vector's simplicity and the critical nature of the executed privileges make this vulnerability highly attractive to automated attack tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4094 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected IDevSpot PhpHostBot application to the latest secure version that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators must implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as file paths or URLs. The application should be configured to disable remote file inclusion features entirely and restrict file operations to local, trusted directories only. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious parameter values and blocking known malicious patterns. Security configurations should enforce strict file access controls and disable PHP functions that could enable remote code execution such as eval, system, or shell_exec. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while comprehensive monitoring and logging of authentication activities can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities.