CVE-2007-5696 in phpBasic
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in includes.php in phpBasic allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the root parameter, possibly related to the Music module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5696 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the phpBasic content management system that directly enables remote code execution through improper input validation. This vulnerability exists within the includes.php file and specifically targets the root parameter, which is susceptible to manipulation by malicious actors seeking to inject arbitrary PHP code into the target system. The issue is particularly concerning as it affects the Music module functionality, suggesting that attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the underlying server infrastructure and potentially escalate their privileges within the compromised environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, particularly the root parameter that controls file inclusion operations. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for the root parameter, the vulnerable phpBasic application processes this input without adequate validation or filtering mechanisms, allowing the execution of code from remote locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-94 category of "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and specifically relates to CWE-434 which addresses "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type" and CWE-20 which covers "Improper Input Validation." The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure application development.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially compromise the entire server infrastructure. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server, which could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects any system running vulnerable versions of phpBasic, and the exploitation process requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to both skilled and less experienced threat actors. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Web Shell" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" within the adversary tactics framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5696 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest security updates from the phpBasic vendor, as well as implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures throughout the application codebase. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting known vulnerable parameters, and establish strict input validation rules that prevent URL schemes from being accepted in file inclusion parameters. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configurations, and conducting regular security audits of web applications can significantly reduce the risk exposure. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.