CVE-2007-6470 in phpRPG
Summary
by MITRE
phpRPG 0.8 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to read session ID values in files under tmp/, and then hijack sessions via PHPSESSID cookies.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6470 represents a critical security flaw in the phpRPG 0.8 web application that directly compromises session management and user authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from improper file system permissions and inadequate access controls within the application's directory structure, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit session hijacking techniques. The vulnerability specifically affects the temporary file storage area where session data is persisted, making it accessible to unauthorized users without proper authentication mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the exposure of session identifier files stored in the tmp/ directory under the web root. These files contain PHP session IDs that are typically generated to maintain user state across multiple requests and are essential for proper session management. When session data is stored in directories accessible to the web server without proper access controls, attackers can directly read these session identifiers from files such as tmp/sess_* where the asterisk represents the session ID. This exposure allows malicious actors to obtain valid session tokens that can be used to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to their accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking, as it fundamentally undermines the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms. Attackers who successfully obtain session IDs can seamlessly take over user sessions, potentially accessing sensitive data, performing unauthorized transactions, or executing actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the session management layer, making it difficult to detect through standard application security scanning tools that may not specifically target file system access controls. The issue is classified under CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic case of inadequate access control implementation that violates fundamental security principles.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1563.002 - "Access Token Manipulation" and T1078 - "Valid Accounts" as attackers can leverage stolen session tokens to operate under legitimate user credentials. The exploitation process requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene in web application development, as proper session management should ensure that session data is stored in secure locations outside the web root directory with appropriate access controls. Organizations using phpRPG 0.8 or similar applications should implement immediate mitigations including moving session storage to secure directories outside the web root, implementing proper file permissions, and configuring access controls to prevent unauthorized file system access. Additionally, the application should be updated to more recent versions where these security issues have been addressed through proper session management implementation and secure file system permissions.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of secure configuration management and proper application architecture design. This issue exemplifies how seemingly minor configuration oversights can create significant security risks, particularly when applications store sensitive data in accessible locations. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include file system access control reviews, proper session management validation, and secure coding practices that prevent insecure direct object references and improper privilege management. Organizations should establish robust security policies that mandate secure file system permissions, regular security audits, and proper application hardening procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in their web applications.