CVE-2007-5592 in awzMB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in awzMB 4.2 beta 1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the Setting[OPT_includepath] parameter to (1) adminhelp.php; and (2) admin.incl.php, (3) reg.incl.php, (4) help.incl.php, (5) gbook.incl.php, and (6) core/core.incl.php in modules/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5592 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting awzMB version 4.2 beta 1 and earlier. This issue resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input through the Setting[OPT_includepath] parameter, which is processed in multiple administrative and core include files. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict the inclusion of external resources, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the Setting[OPT_includepath] parameter which is used to determine which files should be included during script execution. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the application's insecure file inclusion mechanism processes this input without proper validation, allowing the remote attacker to specify arbitrary PHP scripts hosted on external servers. This flaw affects multiple files including adminhelp.php, admin.incl.php, reg.incl.php, help.incl.php, gbook.incl.php, and core/core.incl.php within the modules directory structure, indicating a widespread impact across the application's administrative and core functionality modules.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides remote attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability's reach extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application operates. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an input command, and CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the web application layer. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interaction, making it highly attractive to automated exploit frameworks. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple include files suggests a design flaw in the application's input handling architecture, indicating that proper input validation should be implemented at multiple levels rather than relying on single points of validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the awzMB application to version 4.2 beta 2 or later, where the input validation issues have been addressed. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input sanitization techniques including the use of allowlists for file inclusion parameters, disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configuration, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion paths to local directories only and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized modification of include paths. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and prevent future exploitation attempts.