CVE-2007-5843 in scWiki
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in includes/common.php in scWiki 1.0 Beta 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the pathdot parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5843 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in scWiki version 1.0 Beta 2 that exposes the application to arbitrary code execution attacks. This vulnerability resides within the includes/common.php file and specifically targets the pathdot parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that are subsequently included and executed by the PHP interpreter, creating a severe security risk that can compromise the entire web application and underlying server infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic remote file inclusion pattern where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into a file inclusion directive without proper validation. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the pathdot parameter, the vulnerable application processes this input and attempts to include the remote file, executing any PHP code contained within it. This behavior aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, and specifically maps to CWE-94, representing improper control of generation of code, where the application dynamically includes code from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input sanitization and proper parameter validation that violates basic secure coding principles.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant impact for organizations running affected scWiki installations, as it provides attackers with complete control over the compromised system. The remote execution capability allows threat actors to upload backdoors, establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application, as attackers can modify content, steal sensitive data, and disrupt service availability. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how attackers can leverage such flaws to execute malicious code and maintain persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5843 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected scWiki version, as this represents the most effective solution to eliminate the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The implementation of a whitelist approach for valid path parameters and disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configuration can significantly reduce risk. Additionally, network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits should be deployed to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability pattern, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities to track any potential exploitation attempts.