CVE-2007-5138 in lustig.cms
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in forum/forum.php in lustig.cms BETA 2.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the view parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5138 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the lustig.cms BETA 2.5 content management system, specifically affecting the forum/forum.php component. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input passed through the view parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that are subsequently included and executed as PHP code. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-98 weakness, which specifically addresses "Inclusion of File/Code from Untrusted Source" and aligns with the broader category of CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user input without adequate sanitization measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the view parameter of the forum.php script. The application then processes this input without proper validation, leading to the inclusion of the remote file from the attacker-controlled server. This process typically involves the use of PHP's include or require functions that accept dynamic parameters, creating an opportunity for remote code execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server, potentially allowing them to gain full control over the affected system. This type of attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP," highlighting its exploitation methods and the execution techniques that follow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise the entire web infrastructure hosting the affected CMS. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within the network. Organizations using lustig.cms BETA 2.5 are particularly at risk since the vulnerability affects the core forum functionality, which is often accessible to unauthenticated users. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to both skilled attackers and script kiddies. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many CMS platforms share similar architectural patterns, meaning that similar vulnerabilities might exist in other systems using comparable inclusion mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5138 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software, as the lustig.cms BETA 2.5 version is outdated and no longer supported. Organizations should implement proper input validation by sanitizing all user-supplied parameters and avoiding the use of dynamic include statements with untrusted input. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the web server runs with minimal necessary permissions and that file inclusion operations are restricted to predefined, trusted paths. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all software components up to date and following secure coding practices that prevent the inclusion of external files without proper validation. Organizations should consider implementing automatic patch management systems to ensure timely remediation of known vulnerabilities and maintain comprehensive monitoring to detect exploitation attempts.