CVE-2007-5822 in Scribe
Summary
by MITRE
Direct static code injection vulnerability in forum.php in Ben Ng Scribe 0.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into a certain file in regged/ via the username parameter in a Register action, possibly related to the register function in forumfunctions.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5822 represents a critical direct static code injection flaw within the Ben Ng Scribe 0.2 content management system and earlier versions. This security weakness exists in the forum.php script where user input is improperly handled during the registration process, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server. The vulnerability specifically targets the username parameter during registration actions, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious code that gets written to files within the regged/ directory structure. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before it is processed and stored in the system's file structure.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains, particularly aligning with CWE-94 which categorizes improper control of generation of code, and CWE-20 which addresses improper input validation. The attack vector leverages the register function in forumfunctions.php where the username parameter is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization. The technical implementation allows attackers to inject PHP code that gets executed when the vulnerable system processes the registration request and subsequently accesses the stored data. This creates a persistent code execution environment where malicious payloads can be stored and executed later, potentially providing attackers with full control over the affected server. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its remote nature, meaning attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web server environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5822 extends far beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows remote code execution that can be used to compromise the entire web server, leading to data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The regged/ directory target suggests this vulnerability could affect user registration functionality and potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts or system resources. Attackers can leverage this flaw to deploy web shells, modify system files, or manipulate database content, all while remaining undetected through normal security monitoring. The vulnerability's presence in version 0.2 and earlier indicates a long-standing security issue that was not properly addressed in the application's development lifecycle, highlighting poor secure coding practices and insufficient security testing during the software development phase.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5822 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that filter all user-supplied data before it is processed or stored in the system. This includes enforcing strict character set restrictions for username parameters, implementing proper escaping of special characters, and utilizing parameterized queries or secure coding patterns to prevent code injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, as well as conducting regular security audits and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on defensive coding techniques that prevent injection flaws. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all legacy software components are either updated to supported versions or properly isolated from critical network resources to minimize potential attack surface. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to prevent the exploitation of known vulnerabilities, while comprehensive logging and monitoring should be established to detect any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.