CVE-2007-6147 in IAPR COMMENCE
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in IAPR COMMENCE 1.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (a) php_root_path and sometimes the (b) privilege_root_path parameter to various PHP scripts under (1) admin/includes/, (2) admin/phase/, (3) includes/, (4) includes/page_includes/, (5) reviewer/includes/, (6) reviewer/phase/, and (7) user/phase/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6147 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting IAPR COMMENCE version 1.3, which operates within PHP environments and exposes multiple attack vectors through improper input validation. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution, as attackers can manipulate specific parameters to inject malicious URLs that get executed by the vulnerable PHP application. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it affects numerous script directories including administrative sections, reviewer modules, and user interfaces, creating widespread attack surface across the application's functionality.
The technical exploitation occurs through the manipulation of php_root_path and privilege_root_path parameters, which are used to define the root paths for various PHP includes within the application's codebase. When these parameters are not properly sanitized, attackers can inject URLs that point to malicious PHP scripts hosted on remote servers, enabling arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code. The attack pattern follows the typical remote file inclusion methodology where an attacker crafts a malicious URL that gets processed through the vulnerable include mechanism, allowing execution of code on the target server with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server environment. Once exploited, attackers can upload additional malicious files, escalate privileges, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects multiple directories within the application's file structure, including admin/includes/, admin/phase/, includes/, includes/page_includes/, reviewer/includes/, reviewer/phase/, and user/phase/, which suggests that the flaw exists in core include mechanisms rather than isolated components. This widespread impact means that even if one specific module is not directly targeted, the vulnerability could be exploited through any of these pathways, making the attack surface particularly extensive.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's codebase. The most effective remediation involves using a whitelist approach for all include paths, ensuring that only predefined and trusted directories can be referenced through the vulnerable parameters. Additionally, disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configuration through the allow_url_include directive should be enforced, along with implementing proper input validation using regular expressions to prevent malicious URL patterns from being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious include parameters, and conduct regular security code reviews to identify similar patterns that might exist in other parts of the application. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code through remote file inclusion, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures including input validation, privilege separation, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of such critical vulnerabilities.