CVE-2007-6464 in Form tools
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Form tools 1.5.0b allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the g_root_dir parameter to (1) admin_page_open.php and (2) client_page_open.php in global/templates/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6464 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Form tools version 1.5.0b, specifically within the administrative and client-facing template processing components. This vulnerability resides in the way the application handles user-supplied input for the g_root_dir parameter, which is processed in two key files: admin_page_open.php and client_page_open.php located within the global/templates/ directory structure. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are subsequently included and executed as PHP code on the target server, fundamentally compromising the application's security posture and potentially leading to full system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Form tools application. When the g_root_dir parameter is passed to these PHP files, the application fails to adequately verify or sanitize the input before incorporating it into the file inclusion process. This creates a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability that aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression context, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP payloads, which then get executed within the context of the web application's privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify application behavior, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. The vulnerability affects both administrative and client interfaces, meaning that attackers could compromise either the management functions or the user-facing components of the application. This dual exposure increases the attack surface and potential damage scope, as the compromise of one interface could provide access to the other. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1059, which covers executing malicious code through command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures throughout the application's codebase. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing URL schemes or external references, particularly when dealing with file inclusion operations. Security practitioners should enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring that the application's file inclusion mechanisms only accept local file paths and never permit remote URL references. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original Form tools 1.5.0b version contains multiple such flaws that compound the security risk. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious URL patterns and file inclusion attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to critical application files that could indicate exploitation attempts.