CVE-2007-5840 in SyndeoCMS
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in starnet/themes/c-sky/main.inc.php in Fred Stuurman SyndeoCMS 2.5.01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the cmsdir parameter, a different vector than CVE-2006-4920.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5840 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in SyndeoCMS version 2.5.01 that specifically affects the starnet/themes/c-sky/main.inc.php file. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server by manipulating the cmsdir parameter through a URL, effectively bypassing normal input validation mechanisms that should protect against such attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization within the SyndeoCMS application where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without adequate validation or filtering. When the cmsdir parameter is passed to the main.inc.php script, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in a require or include statement. This creates an environment where attackers can supply malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP payloads, which then get executed on the vulnerable server with the privileges of the web application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes affected systems to complete compromise by allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. The attack vector differs from CVE-2006-4920, which indicates that this represents a distinct vulnerability within the same software ecosystem, potentially indicating a pattern of similar flaws in the codebase. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog, specifically mapping it to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation." The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," and potentially T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as the exploitation results in code execution. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and disabling remote file inclusion capabilities in their PHP configurations. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.
The remediation approach requires comprehensive application-level fixes including implementing strict input validation, using whitelisting mechanisms for file inclusion parameters, and ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed. System administrators should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for web server processes and regularly updating and patching CMS installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the software ecosystem.