CVE-2007-5115 in Mods 4 Xoops Contenido eZ publish
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Ekke Doerre Contenido 42VariablVersion (42VV10) in contenido_hacks in Mods 4 Xoops Contenido eZ publish (pdf4cms) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the cfgPathInc parameter to (1) main_upl.php, (2) main_con_editside.php, (3) main_news_rcp.php, (4) main_mod.php, (5) main_tplinput_edit.php, (6) main_con.php, (7) main_tpl.php, (8) main_con_sidelist.php, (9) main_str.php, (10) main_news.php, (11) main_tplinput.php, (12) main_lang.php, (13) main_mod_edit.php, (14) main_lay.php, (15) main_lay_edit.php, (16) main_news_send.php, (17) main_con_edittpl.php, (18) main_stat.php, (19) main_tpl_edit.php, (20) main_news_edit.php, or (21) inc/upl_show_uploads.inc.php; the (a) cfgPathContenido or (b) cfgPathTpl parameter to (22) con_show_sidelist.inc.php, (23) mod_show_modules.inc.php, (24) con_edit_form.inc.php, (25) lay_show_layouts.inc.php, (26) con_show_tree.inc.php, (27) news_show_newsletters.inc.php, (28) str_show_tree.inc.php, (29) tpl_show_templates.inc.php, (30) stat_show_tree.inc.php, (31) con_editcontent.inc.php, or (32) news_show_recipients.inc.php in inc/; or the cfgPathTpl parameter to (33) main_user_md5.php3, or (34) actions_mod.php, (35) actions_lay.php, (36) actions_upl.php, (37) actions_stat.php, (38) actions_news.php, (39) actions_str.php, (40) header.php, (41) actions_con_sidelist.php, (42) main_top.inc.php, (43) actions_tpl.php, or (44) actions_con.php in tpl/. NOTE: vectors 21, 24, 26, 27, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, and 44 are disputed by CVE because PHP encounters a fatal function-call error on a direct request for the file, before reaching the include statement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2018
This vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Ekke Doerre Contenido 42VariablVersion CMS system, specifically affecting the Mods 4 Xoops Contenido eZ publish (pdf4cms) framework. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly used in PHP include statements. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the cfgPathInc, cfgPathContenido, or cfgPathTpl parameters to inject malicious URLs that point to remote PHP scripts. The affected files span across multiple core modules including file upload handlers, content management interfaces, template editors, and administrative functions, creating an extensive attack surface that could potentially allow full system compromise through remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers insufficient validation of a dangerous function call. The flaw occurs when user-controllable input flows directly into PHP's include or require functions without proper sanitization or validation. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects a wide range of files across different directories including main_, inc/, and tpl/ folders, indicating a systemic design flaw in parameter handling throughout the application's architecture.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using the affected CMS versions. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the web server, execute malicious code, and potentially escalate privileges to gain full administrative control. The attack vectors are particularly concerning as they target core administrative functions and file handling mechanisms, allowing attackers to upload malicious files, modify content, or even establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple files means that a single exploitation attempt could potentially compromise various aspects of the CMS functionality.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before they are used in include statements. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates from the vendor if available, or implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious include patterns. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that PHP include functions only reference trusted, local file paths and that remote file inclusion capabilities are disabled entirely in production environments. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that all dynamic include operations are properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable values, following the security guidelines outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.