CVE-2007-5098 in DFD Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in DFD Cart 1.1.4 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the set_depth parameter to (1) app.lib/product.control/core.php/product.control.config.php, or (2) customer.browse.list.php or (3) customer.browse.search.php in app.lib/product.control/core.php/customer.area/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The CVE-2007-5098 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting DFD Cart versions 1.1.4 and earlier, exploiting a fundamental security weakness in PHP application architecture. This vulnerability specifically targets systems where the register_globals PHP configuration setting is enabled, creating a dangerous condition where user-supplied input can directly influence the global namespace. The flaw manifests through three distinct attack vectors within the product control core modules, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage any of these entry points to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the DFD Cart application's parameter handling mechanisms. When register_globals is enabled, the PHP interpreter automatically creates global variables from request data, including GET, POST, and cookie parameters. The vulnerable code in product.control/core.php/product.control.config.php, customer.browse.list.php, and customer.browse.search.php fails to properly validate or sanitize the set_depth parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that get included and executed as PHP code. This represents a classic remote file inclusion (RFI) vulnerability that directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an input vector, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of code from untrusted sources. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user input is trusted without proper validation, creating an attack surface where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when exploited. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system infiltration, data theft, or service disruption. The vulnerability's presence in core product control modules means that attackers can manipulate product browsing and customer management functionality to achieve their objectives. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in applications to establish persistence, and T1059, which covers executing commands through remote code execution. The attack can be executed through simple HTTP requests containing malicious URLs in the set_depth parameter, making it highly accessible to attackers with basic web exploitation knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5098 must address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying architectural issues. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals PHP configuration setting, which eliminates the core condition that enables this attack vector. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures throughout the application codebase is essential, particularly for parameters that are used in include or require statements. The application should employ allowlists or strict validation of input parameters to ensure that only expected values are accepted. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to DFD Cart versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the original version is no longer supported. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests containing suspicious URL patterns in the set_depth parameter. Organizations should also implement proper code review processes that specifically check for unsafe include statements and validate all user-supplied input before processing, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing remote file inclusion vulnerabilities.