CVE-2007-4886 in AuraCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in index.php in AuraCMS 1.x and probably 2.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a (1) UNC share pathname, or a (2) ftp, (3) ftps, or (4) ssh2.sftp URL, in the pilih parameter, for which PHP remote file inclusion is blocked only for http URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4886 represents a critical security flaw in AuraCMS version 1.x and potentially 2.x systems that stems from an incomplete blacklist implementation in the index.php script. This weakness specifically affects the handling of the pilih parameter which is used to determine which files to include or process within the application. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insufficient input validation and sanitization where the application fails to properly restrict the types of file paths that can be processed, creating an avenue for remote code execution attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's flawed approach to blocking remote file inclusion attempts. While the system correctly blocks http URLs for remote file inclusion, it fails to adequately restrict other protocol schemes that can be used to achieve similar malicious objectives. The vulnerability specifically targets UNC share pathnames and various secure file transfer protocols including ftp, ftps, and ssh2.sftp URLs. This incomplete blacklist approach creates a security gap where attackers can bypass the intended restrictions by simply using different protocol schemes that are not explicitly blocked, thereby circumventing the security controls designed to prevent remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any system running affected versions of AuraCMS. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially gaining full control over the web application and underlying system. The vulnerability allows attackers to upload and execute malicious code, create backdoors, steal sensitive data, or perform other malicious activities. The incomplete blacklist design means that the protection mechanism is fundamentally flawed and can be easily bypassed, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user input for file inclusion operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic example of insecure input handling that violates fundamental security principles. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. The flaw demonstrates how a single oversight in input validation can create a complete compromise of the target system, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through what should be a controlled file inclusion mechanism. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, use allowlists instead of blacklists for file operations, and ensure that all protocol schemes are properly restricted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in their applications.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the affected AuraCMS versions, but also necessitates a broader security review of input handling mechanisms. Systems should implement strict allowlists for file inclusion operations rather than relying on incomplete blacklists, and all remote file access should be carefully controlled and validated. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of comprehensive security testing and the dangers of incomplete security controls that can be easily bypassed by determined attackers.