CVE-2007-5641 in PHP Project Management
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in PHP Project Management 0.8.10 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the full_path parameter to (1) certinfo/index.php, (2) emails/index.php, (3) events/index.php, (4) fax/index.php, (5) files/index.php, (6) files/list.php, (7) groupadm/index.php, (8) history/index.php, (9) info/index.php, (10) log/index.php, (11) mail/index.php, (12) messages/index.php, (13) organizations/index.php, (14) phones/index.php, (15) presence/index.php, (16) projects/index.php, (17) projects/summary.inc.php, (18) projects/list.php, (19) reports/index.php, (20) search/index.php, (21) snf/index.php, (22) syslog/index.php, (23) tasks/searchsimilar.php, (24) tasks/index.php, (25) tasks/summary.inc.php, and (26) useradm/index.php in modules; (27) /ajax/loadsplash.php; (28) /blocks/birthday.php; (29) /blocks/events.php; and (30) /blocks/help.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in PHP Project Management version 0.8.10 and earlier, classified under CWE-88 as improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically affecting the full_path parameter across numerous controller files. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious URLs through the vulnerable parameters, enabling arbitrary code execution on the target server.
The technical exploitation occurs when the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into file inclusion operations without proper validation or sanitization. This creates a pathway for remote attackers to load and execute malicious PHP code from external servers, effectively bypassing local security controls. The vulnerability affects a wide range of application modules including project management, user administration, file handling, messaging, and system monitoring components, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. The attack surface extends across multiple modules and functions within the application, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can target different system components based on their objectives. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP, representing a classic example of how poor input validation can create persistent security weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization across all user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach includes disabling remote file inclusion features, implementing whitelisting mechanisms for file paths, and using secure coding practices such as input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, network segmentation, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding guidelines and the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular patch management and security updates are essential to protect against similar vulnerabilities in other applications and components.