CVE-2007-4757 in phpMytourney
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in menu.php in phpMytourney allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the functions_file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4757 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the phpMytourney application, specifically affecting the menu.php script. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input, particularly in the functions_file parameter that is processed by menu.php. When an attacker provides a malicious URL through this parameter, the application blindly includes and executes the remote file, effectively allowing unauthorized code execution with the privileges of the web server process.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code. The attack vector operates through the exploitation of PHP's include or require functions, which can be manipulated to load remote files from attacker-controlled servers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets a web application interface that is accessible from external networks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding, where user-controlled data flows directly into the application's execution path without proper sanitization or verification against a whitelist of acceptable values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution, allowing threat actors to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of phpMytourney face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to databases, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms that could allow attackers to maintain long-term access to the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4757 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application to the latest secure version that addresses the input validation flaw. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization by validating all user-supplied data against a whitelist of approved values and rejecting any input that contains suspicious characters or protocols. The application configuration should disable remote file inclusion features and restrict the use of include functions with user-controllable parameters. Network-level defenses should include web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the damage from successful exploitation, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications. The use of secure coding practices, including parameterized queries and input validation libraries, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles.