CVE-2007-5631 in PeopleAggregator
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in PeopleAggregator 1.2pre6, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the current_blockmodule_path parameter to (1) AudiosMediaGalleryModule/AudiosMediaGalleryModule.php, (2) ImagesMediaGalleryModule/ImagesMediaGalleryModule.php, (3) MembersFacewallModule/MembersFacewallModule.php, (4) NewestGroupsModule/NewestGroupsModule.php, (5) UploadMediaModule/UploadMediaModule.php, and (6) VideosMediaGalleryModule/VideosMediaGalleryModule.php in BetaBlockModules/; and (7) the path_prefix parameter to several components.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The CVE-2007-5631 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting PeopleAggregator version 1.2pre6, specifically when the PHP register_globals directive is enabled. This vulnerability stems from insecure input handling within multiple media gallery modules, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected system. The flaw manifests in seven distinct locations within the BetaBlockModules directory structure, each representing a separate attack vector that could be exploited to compromise the target server. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument separators in a command, and CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code due to insufficient input validation. These modules include AudiosMediaGalleryModule.php, ImagesMediaGalleryModule.php, MembersFacewallModule.php, NewestGroupsModule.php, UploadMediaModule.php, and VideosMediaGalleryModule.php, all of which accept unvalidated user input through specific parameter names. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to gain full control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the dangerous combination of PHP's register_globals feature and inadequate input sanitization within the PeopleAggregator application. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and COOKIE data, effectively bypassing normal variable scoping rules. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that include file inclusion directives in the current_blockmodule_path or path_prefix parameters, causing the application to include and execute remote PHP code from attacker-controlled servers. This attack pattern aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services to gain initial access, and T1059, which covers executing code through command and scripting interpreters. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. The affected modules all share a common architectural weakness where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into file inclusion statements without proper validation or sanitization, creating an inherent trust in unverified external data sources.
The security implications of CVE-2007-5631 extend far beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Organizations running PeopleAggregator 1.2pre6 with register_globals enabled face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential use as a staging ground for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in multiple media gallery modules increases the attack surface significantly, providing attackers with several potential entry points and reducing the likelihood of detection. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of enabling dangerous PHP configuration options like register_globals. The flaw demonstrates how configuration issues can amplify application-level vulnerabilities, creating a perfect storm for exploitation. Security professionals should recognize this as a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerability combined with remote code execution, where the combination of weak input validation and permissive server configuration creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for complete system compromise. The remediation strategy must address both the immediate vulnerability through patching and the underlying configuration issue that makes exploitation possible.