CVE-2007-4235 in VietPHP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in VietPHP allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in (1) the dirpath parameter to (a) _functions.php, or (2) the language parameter to (b) admin/index.php or (c) index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4235 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the VietPHP content management system that exposes multiple pathways for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on affected servers. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through specific parameter names that are processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw manifests in three distinct locations within the application's codebase where external URLs are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by remote threat actors without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic remote file inclusion pattern where the application accepts user input through HTTP parameters and uses this input directly in include or require statements without proper validation or sanitization. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL through either the dirpath parameter in _functions.php or through the language parameter in admin/index.php and index.php, the application processes these inputs and attempts to include the specified remote files. This behavior creates a path traversal and code execution vulnerability where the remote file can contain malicious PHP code that gets executed on the server hosting the VietPHP application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and specifically relates to CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code, as the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user inputs before using them in code execution contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected VietPHP installations, as it provides attackers with complete control over the vulnerable server. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, complete server compromise, and potential use as a stepping stone for further attacks within a network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, steal database credentials, modify website content, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target environment, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it allows for the execution of arbitrary code through web-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators and security teams to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters that are used in file inclusion operations, ensuring that only trusted and validated paths are accepted. Organizations should implement whitelisting mechanisms that restrict file inclusion to predefined safe directories and reject any external URLs or paths that are not explicitly authorized. Additionally, the application should be updated to use absolute paths for file inclusion operations rather than allowing dynamic user input to determine file locations. The implementation of PHP's safe_mode or disable_functions directives can provide additional layers of protection, though these measures should not be considered as primary defenses. Regular security auditing and code review practices should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, and automated vulnerability scanning tools should be deployed to continuously monitor for such issues. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all web applications updated with the latest security patches and following secure coding practices that prevent the inclusion of user-supplied data in critical execution contexts.