CVE-2007-6178 in Easy Hosting Control Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Easy Hosting Control Panel for Ubuntu (EHCP) 0.22.8 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the confdir parameter to (1) dbutil.bck.php and (2) dbutil.php in config/.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6178 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Easy Hosting Control Panel version 0.22.8 and earlier, specifically affecting Ubuntu deployments. This vulnerability resides in the database utility scripts dbutil.bck.php and dbutil.php located within the config/ directory of the EHCP application. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization of the confdir parameter, which is directly used to construct file paths without adequate security measures to prevent malicious input from being interpreted as file inclusion directives.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic remote file inclusion pattern where user-controllable input is concatenated directly into file system operations. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the confdir parameter, the application fails to validate or sanitize this input before using it in file inclusion operations. This creates an opportunity for remote code execution through the PHP include or require functions, as the application treats the supplied URL as a legitimate file path and attempts to execute the remote content as PHP code. The vulnerability manifests because the software does not implement proper input filtering or validation mechanisms to prevent attackers from injecting external URLs into the file inclusion process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted within the context of web hosting environments. An unauthenticated remote attacker can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The implications extend beyond simple code execution as attackers can use this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, access sensitive system files, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the core database utility functions of the EHCP platform, making it particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to manipulate database configurations and potentially access database contents.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a Remote Code Execution technique where adversaries leverage input validation flaws to execute malicious code on target systems. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services to gain initial access, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various interfaces. Organizations using vulnerable versions of EHCP should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and disabling remote file inclusion capabilities. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation on all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations, and ensuring that the application only accepts predefined, trusted values for configuration paths. Additionally, the use of PHP's allow_url_include directive should be disabled to prevent remote file inclusion entirely, while proper access controls and network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.