CVE-2007-5164 in UniversiBO
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in htmls/forum/includes/topic_review.php in UniversiBO 1.3.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the phpbb_root_path parameter. NOTE: this issue is disputed by CVE because the applicable include is in a function that is not called on a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5164 pertains to a remote file inclusion flaw within the UniversiBO 1.3.4 web application, specifically affecting the htmls/forum/includes/topic_review.php file. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability, which poses significant risks to system integrity and data confidentiality.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the phpbb_root_path parameter. When a malicious actor supplies a URL as the value for this parameter, the application's code fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in an include statement. This allows the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code from a remote server, effectively bypassing local security controls and potentially gaining full control over the vulnerable system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the PHP include functionality to load and execute code from external sources, creating a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access or perform additional malicious activities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to compromise the entire web application server, potentially leading to data breaches, system takeover, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The fact that this vulnerability exists in a forum application means that attackers could exploit it to gain access to user data, forum content, and potentially sensitive information stored within the application. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to carry out the attack, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The vulnerability's disputed status stems from the observation that the affected include statement resides within a function that is not invoked during direct requests, suggesting that the vulnerability may not be exploitable under normal usage conditions. This assessment aligns with CWE-470, which addresses the use of insecure functions that can lead to code injection vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an attack against externally accessible web applications. Organizations should carefully evaluate their specific configurations and usage patterns to determine the actual exploitability of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in include statements. The recommended approach includes disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configurations, implementing strict input validation using allowlists, and ensuring that all external inputs are properly escaped before being processed. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests, conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities, and maintain up-to-date application patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The principle of least privilege should also be applied to limit the impact of potential exploitation by restricting file inclusion capabilities and reducing the attack surface of the application.