CVE-2007-4170 in AL-Athkar
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in AL-Athkar 2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) include parameter to (a) Main.php and (b) get.php and the (2) exec parameter to (c) count.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4170 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting AL-Athkar 2.0, a web application designed for Islamic prayer times and religious content management. This vulnerability manifests through multiple attack vectors that exploit improper input validation and dynamic code execution mechanisms within the application's core files. The affected components include Main.php, get.php, and count.php, which all accept user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without adequate sanitization or validation. This class of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and remote file inclusion attacks that have been consistently identified as high-risk security flaws in web applications.
The technical exploitation occurs when remote attackers manipulate the include parameter in Main.php and get.php, or the exec parameter in count.php to inject malicious URLs that point to external resources containing arbitrary PHP code. When the web application processes these parameters through functions like include() or require(), it executes the code from the remote location, effectively allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads on the target server. 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 arbitrary code. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and the dangerous combination of dynamic file inclusion with user-controllable variables, creating an environment where attackers can achieve complete server compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with full control over the affected web server and potentially the entire underlying infrastructure. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify application functionality, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and availability, as attackers can modify or delete application files, potentially causing service disruption while simultaneously gaining unauthorized access to user data and system resources. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for server-side include attacks and represents a common entry point for advanced persistent threats targeting web applications. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4170 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters that are used in dynamic file inclusion operations. Applications should avoid using user input directly in include statements and instead employ whitelisting mechanisms that only allow predefined, safe values. Additionally, the php.ini configuration should disable remote file inclusion by setting allow_url_include to Off, and disable remote file access through allow_url_fopen. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts, while regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should also include implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain audit trails for security incident response.