CVE-2007-4806 in Focus
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in modules/Discipline/CategoryBreakdownTime.php in Focus/SIS 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the FocusPath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4806 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Focus/SIS 1.0 educational management system. This issue resides in the modules/Discipline/CategoryBreakdownTime.php file where the application fails to properly validate user input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the FocusPath parameter which is processed without adequate sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that the application will attempt to include and execute as PHP code. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution threats that have been consistently documented in security frameworks including CWE-88 and CWE-94.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the FocusPath parameter in the application's request. The application then uses this unsanitized input to construct file inclusion paths, leading to the remote execution of attacker-controlled PHP code on the target server. This flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the dangerous consequences of concatenating user-supplied data directly into file operations without proper security checks. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially gain full control over the affected system, execute arbitrary commands, and establish persistent access to the server infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework classification, this represents a technique for privilege escalation and command execution through web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4806 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data breach potential. Organizations utilizing Focus/SIS 1.0 become vulnerable to various attack vectors including malware deployment, backdoor installation, and data exfiltration from compromised servers. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the educational management system and could potentially expose sensitive student and institutional data. Attackers could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access, monitor network traffic, and conduct further reconnaissance within the organization's network. The widespread use of PHP-based applications in educational environments makes such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous as they can lead to complete infrastructure compromise and unauthorized access to confidential academic information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the affected application. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for all user inputs, particularly those used in file inclusion operations, and employ proper escaping techniques to prevent malicious URL injection. The recommended approach includes using allowlists of permitted values, implementing proper input filtering, and avoiding direct concatenation of user-supplied data into file path constructions. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the Focus/SIS 1.0 system to versions that address this vulnerability, and network segmentation should be implemented to limit potential attack surfaces. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement proper security controls including web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to prevent exploitation attempts.