CVE-2007-4949 in php(Reactor)
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in php(Reactor) 1.2.7pl1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the pathtohomedir parameter to (1) ekilat.com-int.tpl.php, (2) phpreactor.org-top.tpl.php, or (3) ekilat.com-top.tpl.php in examples/. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by CVE, since the vulnerability is present only when the product is incorrectly installed by placing examples/ under the web root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4949 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the phpReactor 1.2.7pl1 web application framework. This vulnerability exists within the template processing functionality of the application, specifically affecting three template files: ekilat.com-int.tpl.php, phpreactor.org-top.tpl.php, and ekilat.com-top.tpl.php located in the examples directory. The flaw manifests when the pathtohomedir parameter is manipulated with a malicious URL, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the template processing mechanism. When the application processes the pathtohomedir parameter without proper validation, it blindly includes the specified URL as a file path, effectively allowing attackers to load and execute remote code. This behavior constitutes a classic remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited to gain complete control over the affected server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it directly enables remote code execution capabilities that align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and further network infiltration. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites since it operates through standard HTTP requests, making it highly accessible to attackers with basic technical skills. The presence of this vulnerability in the examples directory suggests a configuration error where sensitive files were improperly placed within the web root, which is a common misconfiguration pattern that security professionals often encounter in web application deployments.
The disputed nature of this CVE highlights an important distinction between theoretical vulnerability assessment and practical exploitation conditions. According to the CVE entry, the vulnerability only manifests when the product is incorrectly installed by placing the examples/ directory under the web root, which represents a clear violation of security best practices. This installation error creates an attack surface that should never exist in properly configured environments, as the examples directory typically contains demonstration code that should remain outside of web-accessible paths. The vulnerability's conditional nature underscores the importance of proper security hardening and configuration management in preventing exploitation opportunities.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. The primary mitigation strategy involves ensuring proper installation procedures that place example and demonstration files outside of web-accessible directories, aligning with the principle of least privilege and secure configuration practices. Additionally, input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent parameter manipulation attacks, with implementations following secure coding guidelines that address CWE-20 and CWE-119. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and proper access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits should verify that no sensitive directories are improperly exposed to web access. The vulnerability also emphasizes the critical need for secure development practices and thorough security testing during application deployment phases to prevent such configuration errors from creating exploitable conditions.