CVE-2007-4935 in phpFFL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in phpFFL 1.24 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the PHPFFL_FILE_ROOT parameter to (1) admin.php, (2) custom_pages.php, (3) draft.php, (4) faq.php, (5) leagues.php, (6) livedraft.php, (7) login.php, (8) my_team.php, (9) profile.php, (10) signup.php, (11) statistics.php, (12) transactions.php, (13) program_files/admin/custom_pages.php, or (14) program_files/common.php. NOTE: the program_files/livedraft/admin.php and program_files/livedraft/livedraft.php vectors are covered by CVE-2007-4934.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4935 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting phpFFL version 1.24, a web-based fantasy football league management system. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, specifically enabling attackers to inject malicious URLs that can be executed as PHP code on the target server. The flaw exists in multiple entry points within the application's codebase, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple attack vectors for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters, specifically the PHPFFL_FILE_ROOT parameter. When an attacker submits a malicious URL through this parameter, the application directly includes and executes the remote file without proper sanitization, creating an environment where arbitrary PHP code execution becomes possible. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-88, which deals with command injection, and specifically relates to CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to improper input handling. The vulnerability affects not just a single file but multiple core application files including administrative interfaces and user-facing pages, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected server with the privileges of the web application. This could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or the installation of backdoors and malware. The attack surface is particularly large given that the vulnerability exists across multiple application modules including admin.php, custom_pages.php, and various other core functionality files. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this represents a remote access attack vector that could be leveraged for persistence and privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a fantasy sports management application that likely handles sensitive user data and league information, making it attractive to attackers seeking to exploit the system for unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization across all user-supplied parameters. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing URLs or remote file references, while also implementing proper access controls and input filtering mechanisms. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring that web applications run with minimal required permissions and that all file inclusion operations use absolute paths rather than user-supplied variables. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The use of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection, though the fundamental fix requires addressing the core input validation issues in the application code itself, as outlined in CWE-170 standards for proper input handling and validation.