CVE-2007-5053 in iziContents
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple incomplete blacklist vulnerabilities in iziContents 1 RC6 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in (1) the admin_home parameter to modules/poll/poll_summary.php or (2) the rootdp parameter to include/db.php; or a URL in the language_home parameter to (3) search/search.php, (4) poll/inlinepoll.php, (5) poll/showpoll.php, (6) links/showlinks.php, or (7) links/submit_links.php in modules/; related to missing checks in (a) modules/moduleSec.php and (b) include/includeSec.php for inclusion of certain URLs, as demonstrated by an ftps:// URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5053 represents a critical security flaw in iziContents version 1 RC6 and earlier, specifically targeting incomplete blacklist implementations that enable remote code execution through parameter manipulation. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file inclusion processes, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. The flaw manifests through several distinct parameters including admin_home, rootdp, and language_home, each pointing to different files within the application's directory structure where malicious code inclusion can occur.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on incomplete blacklists for validating file inclusion parameters rather than employing proper whitelisting mechanisms or comprehensive input validation. When attackers provide malicious URLs through these parameters, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file inclusion operations. The vulnerability specifically affects files such as modules/poll/poll_summary.php, include/db.php, and various search and poll modules, where the missing checks in modules/moduleSec.php and include/includeSec.php allow the execution of potentially harmful URLs including ftps:// protocols. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference and improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) classifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on the affected system. Once exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects multiple modules within the iziContents application, increasing the attack surface and providing several potential entry points for exploitation. The use of ftps:// URLs in the demonstration suggests that attackers could leverage external resources to deliver malicious code, making the attack more sophisticated and harder to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP) in the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures throughout the application. Organizations should implement comprehensive whitelisting mechanisms instead of relying on incomplete blacklists for file inclusion operations, ensuring that only explicitly allowed parameters and URLs can be processed. The fix should involve strengthening the validation logic in modules/moduleSec.php and include/includeSec.php to properly check and sanitize all input parameters before they are used in file inclusion operations. Additionally, the application should be updated to the latest version of iziContents where these vulnerabilities have been addressed, and administrators should implement proper network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized file inclusion attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar insecure coding practices that could lead to comparable vulnerabilities in other applications.