CVE-2007-6231 in tellmatic
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in tellmatic 1.0.7 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the tm_includepath parameter to (1) Classes.inc.php, (2) statistic.inc.php, (3) status.inc.php, (4) status_top_x.inc.php, or (5) libchart-1.1/libchart.php in include/. NOTE: access to include/ is blocked by .htaccess in most deployments that use Apache HTTP Server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6231 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting tellmatic version 1.0.7, specifically targeting multiple PHP files within the include/ directory. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and improper input validation, as identified by CWE-20 and CWE-94 respectively. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input passed through the tm_includepath parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are subsequently included and executed by the PHP interpreter. The affected files Classes.inc.php, statistic.inc.php, status.inc.php, status_top_x.inc.php, and libchart-1.1/libchart.php all demonstrate this vulnerability through their handling of the tm_includepath parameter, creating multiple attack vectors for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits PHP's include and require functions, which accept dynamic file paths and execute code from remote locations when provided with malicious URLs. Attackers can leverage this by crafting requests that manipulate the tm_includepath parameter to point to remote malicious PHP scripts hosted on attacker-controlled servers. This creates a remote file inclusion (RFI) condition that bypasses normal input validation mechanisms and allows complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system takeover, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a remote code execution technique under the T1059.007 sub-technique for PHP, with the attack chain typically involving initial access through web application exploitation followed by privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. Organizations running tellmatic 1.0.7 are exposed to potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in environments where the application processes sensitive information. The presence of .htaccess protection in most deployments provides some mitigation, but this protection can be bypassed through various techniques including path traversal attacks or by exploiting other vulnerabilities in the application's configuration. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in the application's security architecture, where input validation occurs too late in the processing chain and fails to adequately sanitize user-provided parameters before they are used in file inclusion operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the tellmatic application to version 1.0.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the remote file inclusion flaw. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for parameters that influence file inclusion operations, ensuring that all input is validated against a strict whitelist of acceptable values. The implementation of PHP's open_basedir directive and disabling of remote file inclusion features through the disable_functions directive in php.ini can provide additional layers of protection. Network-level mitigations including firewall rules that restrict access to the include/ directory and web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious patterns in URL parameters should also be deployed. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation and file inclusion practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and alert on such insecure file inclusion patterns, as outlined in the OWASP Top 10 security principles and NIST cybersecurity framework guidelines.