CVE-2007-5697 in PHP Image
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in PHP Image 1.2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the xarg parameter to (1) xarg_corner.php, (2) xarg_corner_bottom.php, and (3) xarg_corner_top.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5697 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting PHP Image 1.2, specifically targeting three distinct script files that process user-supplied input through the xarg parameter. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and remote file inclusion attacks, which are classified as CWE-434 and CWE-94 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The affected scripts xarg_corner.php, xarg_corner_bottom.php, and xarg_corner_top.php demonstrate a dangerous practice of directly incorporating user-provided URLs into PHP include statements without proper validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental flaw in how PHP handles dynamic includes and file operations. When attackers supply a malicious URL through the xarg parameter, the vulnerable scripts treat this input as a legitimate file path and attempt to include it as a PHP file. This occurs because the application does not validate or sanitize the input before passing it to PHP's include or require functions, allowing attackers to specify external URLs that point to malicious PHP scripts hosted on remote servers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its include mechanisms, enabling attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute code with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server and potentially the underlying infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows attackers to upload additional malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify or delete existing content, and use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks against other systems within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) tactics, enabling attackers to achieve their objectives through automated exploitation of the remote file inclusion vulnerability. The implications are severe for organizations relying on PHP Image 1.2, as this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future. The primary immediate fix involves upgrading to a patched version of PHP Image 1.2 or implementing input validation and sanitization measures that reject external URL references in the xarg parameter. Organizations should disable the use of remote file inclusion by setting the allow_url_include directive to off in php.ini configuration files, which prevents PHP from including files from remote URLs. Additionally, implementing proper input validation through regular expressions or allowlists that restrict xarg parameter values to only local file paths can effectively prevent exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious include patterns and unusual file access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in application code, particularly focusing on the principle of least privilege and input validation as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.